The American Legion and MACV found solutions By Tim Engstrom The Minnesota Legionnaire MINNEAPOLIS — Imagine suffering from a life-threatening health problem in an unfamiliar state, and then the hospital kicks you out on the street to fend for yourself because you lack proper insurance. That’s the situation long-haul trucker and Army veteran Sharon L. […]
ST. PAUL — Has the coronavirus restrictions caused you to lose your job? Has it shut down your veteran-owned business? The American Legion suggests you get your documentation ready for Monday, April 6, when you can apply for relief from the state of Minnesota. That’s because Minnesota veterans impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for […]
CALL TO ACTION! During this period of social distancing, America’s heroes – our Veterans – are at risk. Veterans young and old have lost access to the activities that keep them going. We can help them. The Virtual Rise & Shine Challenge is a great way to show support for at-risk Veterans who are feeling […]
Below you will see a sample of what questions are being asked when filling out the form for SBA loan assistance. If you need further assistance or have a question call: SBA Office of Disaster Assistance | 1-800-659-2955 | be patient as I am sure they are overwhelmed with calls. This is as far as […]
Here is the link for the State of Minnesota information on business loans, grants. A good starting point to try and navigate how to obtain the help you need. It’s supposed to help assess which route is right among the state grants: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=425890
Subject: Corona Virus Relief Act) on 3/30/2020 at 9:29 pm which was a White Paper developed by Davy Leghorn of our Washington Office. This an opportunity for departments and posts to help offset some employee costs as well help the employees during this period where posts are shut down by local government. I was talking […]
With Minnesota now under a stay-at-home order by the governor for a minimum of two weeks, Department Membership Director Sy Fix is asking now more then ever to put MyLegion.org to use. He said it is unfortunate that it takes a situation like this for members to realize how useful the MyLegion.org tool can be […]
By The American Legion The Small Business Administration has streamlined the application process and reduced the administrative burden as of today. Start applying for the disaster relief loan or emergency $10k relief grant here: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/ PAYCHECK PROTECTION LOAN • Small Business Administration Loans-$349 billion authorized (pg31 lines 8-13, CARES ACT). • Administration participation increased to […]
By Jennifer Gedney Havlick The Minnesota Legionnaire TWO HARBORS — Heard of Enhanced Buddy Checks? In response to the COVID-19 pandemic American Legion National Commander Bill Oxford placed a strong emphasis on our Buddy Check program. As I watched the pandemic begin to unfold, I thought we can do more than an average Buddy Check. […]
By Tim Engstrom The Minnesota Legionnaire ST. PAUL — The Department Executive Committee met by remote communications on Saturday, March 21, during a time when America and the world were struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The most newsworthy aspect? Pulling the meeting off in the first place. The meeting had been planned for the Best […]
Dear members of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Minnesota: After consulting several sources, I feel our Department Office does not qualify to stay open during the “stay at home” period authorized by Gov. Tim Walz. Although we are a valuable patriotic and charitable organization, we just don’t fit into any of the categories (pharmacies, […]
By Tim Engstrom The Minnesota Legionnaire ST. PAUL — Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke said he was disappointed his agency’s request for funding three new veterans homes didn’t make the federal Department of Veterans Affairs budget. The projects had all the requirements, he said. They made the deadline. They had the land, […]
The coronavirus pandemic has given rise to online scam artists offering phony cures and trying to steal scared people’s money. Americans were told to stop selling sham vaccines, but that is the tip of iceberg and global catfishing is increasing as with all epidemics when people are most vulnerable. SocialCatfish.com released a report on four […]
Boys Nation, planned for July 17-25 in Washington, D.C., has been cancelled. Assessment on awarding the Samsung American Legion Scholarships is underway. Minnesota Boys State, scheduled for June 14-20 at St. John’s University in Collegeville, has been cancelled. Both decisions were made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on gatherings. Though the educational events […]
By Greg Colby Judge Advocate for the Department of Minnesota Minnesota’s Emergency Executive Orders On March 13, 2020, Governor Tim Walz signed a number of emergency executive orders, not one. It may be helpful to go through each one and explain the gist of each. You can then decide how you want to use […]
NEW PRAGUE — The Testimonial dinners for Department of Minnesota Commander Mark Dvorak and Auxiliary President Mary Hendrickson have been combined into a single banquet. Dvorak’s get-together had been planned for April 18. Hendrickson’s was on April 25. Now the combined Testimonial will be June 20. The banquet will take place at the American Legion […]
MINNEAPOLIS — Conferences cancelled. Screening at the VA. The Legislature on hold. Here is what is happening in the Minnesota veterans community as of today, Monday, March 16. Screening The VA hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, as well as at clinics around the state, have implemented screening at their entrances to prevent spreading […]
BREAKING NEWS: Commander Mark Dvorak has canceled the Appreciation Rally slated for March 21 in La Crescent because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The commander is putting health and safety first and adhering to recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health. If you made reservations at the hotel in La Crescent, you will need to cancel […]
MOUNDS VIEW — The 2020 Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Women Veteran Conference will take place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 4. The event happens at the YMCA in Mounds View, at 5394 Edgewood Drive. The building also is the Mounds View Community Center. The keynote speaker is Keara Torkelson, survivor of the […]
By Tommy Johnson In the January edition of The Minnesota Legionnaire, the story was told about Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s decision to make the 2-year-old child of a two-tour Iraqi combat veteran and his fiancé homeless. The headline was “Minneapolis housing authority opts to make fiancé and child of a veteran homeless.” That story got […]
WASHINGTON — The director of suicide prevention for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs struggles with the notion that suicide is preventable. “I have a love/hate relationship with that saying,” Matt Miller told a room of Legionnaires at the Washington Conference of The American Legion on Monday, March 9. As the chief of mental health […]
WASHINGTON — Most of the calls the Veterans Benefits Administration receives are young veterans asking about their benefits. Solid Start is a program the VBA launched on Dec. 2, where the VA reaches out to new veterans in their first year after their military time ends. “This is establishing a lifelong relationship,” said Paul R. […]
WASHINGTON — When recruiting young veterans to join The American Legion, Legionnaires have to do more than merely sign them up, said Past National Commander Dan Ludwig. They also need to treat them respect and hear their ideas. “If you want to live in yesterday, you ain’t got no future,” Ludwig said. Three past national […]
ST. PAUL — Minnesota is among seven states selected for a national effort to eliminate veteran death by suicide. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in what’s called the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide […]
Educate yourself on The American Legion’s efforts to protect and expand your veteran benefits The American Legion is the voice of nearly 2 million U.S. military veterans and service members on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Here are the initiatives The American Legion is making presently in our nation’s capital. You can read the initiatives […]
MINNEAPOLIS — The 20th annual American Legion Family Night with the Minnesota Twins has been determined. It takes place Saturday, May 9, at 6:10 p.m. Department of Minnesota Commander Mark Dvorak will throw out the first pitch. Another Legionnaire will raise the flag. Posts can order tickets as a group or Legionnaires can order them […]
ANOKA — Jamie Jablonsky, 18, a senior from Jordan High School and sponsored by Jordan Post 3, is the winner of the 2020 American Legion Statewide Oratorical Contest. Her parents are Scott and Cheryl Jablonsky. She has two older siblings, sister Michelle and brother Jesse. Jamie has competed in the contest her sophomore, junior and […]
By Mark Dvorak Greetings, Minnesota American Legion Family. This article will contain a few thank-yous and comments about membership. First and foremost, a big thanks to our national commander, James W. “Bill” Oxford, and his aide, Larry Cline, for visiting our Department of Minnesota. The only Legion position he ran for was district commander. All […]
On Feb. 19, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed an evening at New Prague Post 45, which exists in a building called the American Legion Park Ballroom. It was the 12th and final stop on his tour of Minnesota. Click on an image to enlarge.
On Feb. 19, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford stopped by KCHK 95.5 FM Radio to be interviewed by host Tom Goetzinger. It was the 11th stop on his tour of Minnesota. Click on an image to enlarge. Click here to hear the interview.