Category: Adjutant’s Corner
Department of Minnesota Adjutant Mike Maxa provides perspectives on The American Legion and the Minnesota military community.
Sen. Kaine introduces anti-housing discrimination law for veterans
Sen. Kaine introduces national version of state anti-housing discrimination law for veterans, low-income families By Ian Munro • The Virginian-Pilot • May 01, 2023 at 7:32 pm Sen. Tim Kaine reintroduced a 2018 bill meant to stop housing discrimination against veterans and low income families […]
Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduces legislation for veterans
Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduces bipartisan legislation for military veterans By Noah Caplan • Published: May. 1, 2023 at 11:21 PM EDT • Updated: 8 hours ago ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Eric Andringa is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. In his 28 years of service and 18 […]
‘They’re Not Able to Cover Their Rent
‘They’re Not Able to Cover Their Rent’: Housing Top Concern as Congressional Panel on Military Life Starts Work Military.com 25 Apr 2023 • Military.com • By Rebecca Kheel Enlisted personnel and junior officers are very concerned about being able to afford housing, the chairman of […]
US Vietnam War Commemoration hosting May ‘welcome home’ event in DC
Military Times By Meghann Myers • Apr 25, 04:20 PM The United States Vietnam War Commemoration is calling on all Vietnam War veterans and their families to head to the National Mall May 11-13 for a “welcome home” event featuring performances, speakers and a chance […]
Indianapolis High School Senior Wins American Legion Oratorical
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 […]
VA announces survivors of veterans may be eligible for benefits under PACT Act
The American Legion MAR 24, 2023 The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that surviving spouses or children of a veterans who died from a PACT Act-related condition may qualify for VA benefits, including monthly benefits through the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Program. Surviving […]
SENATE ADVANCES LEGISLATION TO REPEAL IRAQ AUMFS
National Legislative Division Weekly Update From The American Legion National Organization The American Legion held a press conference with Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., who have led the bipartisan effort to repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. The two senators have raised […]
US military moves to cut suicides, but defers action on guns
Associated Press: By TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR • today WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a number of improvements in access to mental health care on Thursday to reduce suicides in the military, but held off on endorsing more controversial recommendations […]
Today in American Legion history:
March 17, 1919: Lt. Col. Thomas W. Miller of Delaware, a former member of Congress who enlisted as an infantryman in the Army after an unsuccessful re-election campaign, brings the final day of the Paris Caucus to order. Without a gavel to start the meeting, […]
Veterans’ Emergency Room Bills Could Get Repaid by VA Thanks to Change
1 Mar 2023 • Military.com • By Amanda Miller Veterans who received care at non-VA emergency rooms since 2010 could now get some of their out-of-pocket costs reimbursed years later, even if their claims were previously denied. The VA is finalizing a new rule, published […]
Supreme Court Rejects Case Tied to Families Being Removed from VA Caregiver Program
21 Feb 2023 • Military.com • By Patricia Kime The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case filed by a Navy SEAL and veterans advocates over new regulations put in place in 2020 by the Department of Veterans Affairs that led to families being told they […]
Lawmakers renew push for veteran centers at colleges
By SVETLANA SHKOLNIKOVA • STARS AND STRIPES • February 21, 2023 WASHINGTON — A group of lawmakers are continuing a yearslong push to establish student veteran centers at universities and colleges, calling for more support for former service members adjusting to academic life. The bicameral […]
These Minnesotans get shelter at a price too steep
HF732 is the bill moving through the house and SF992 is the bill moving through the senate. Our American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative chairman Kristy Janigo testified in support of HF732. Below is the article that appeared in the Star Tribune. FEBRUARY 4, 2023 […]
VA pays $201 million in retro benefits to ‘blue water’ vets under 2020 court ruling
By WYATT OLSON • STARS AND STRIPES • January 31, 2023 The Department of Veterans Affairs shelled out about $201 million in retroactive benefits over the past two years to nearly 7,000 “blue water” Navy Vietnam War veterans and their survivors in connection to exposure […]
A victory for World War II veterans
The American Legion; JAN 25, 2023 A barricade that prevented some World War II veterans from receiving VA care has been removed, thanks to a relentless drive by The American Legion. The legislation exempts World War II veterans from the means test needed to receive […]
2023 One Minnesota Governors Budget
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s One Minnesota Budget invests in the things that matter most to Minnesotans: our children and families, economic future, health and safety, and a state government that works for all Minnesotans. The budget includes the largest tax cut in state […]
VA officials work to raise awareness of cemetery, burial services
Military Times By Leo Shane III • Jan 24, 05:42 PM Veterans Affairs officials want to remind vets that some department benefits extend not only for the rest of their lives, but also after they pass away. Only about 20% of veterans who died last […]
US defense industry unprepared for a China fight, says report
Defense News By Joe Gould • Jan 23, 04:06 PM WASHINGTON ― The U.S. defense-industrial base is not ready for a battle over Taiwan, as it would run out of key long-range, precision-guided munitions in less than one week, according to a new report by […]
No retroactive benefits for veterans past deadline, Supreme Court says
Military Times By Leo Shane III • Jan 23, 11:20 AM The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously rejected arguments by a disabled veteran that he and other individuals who missed filing deadlines for disability benefits should still be eligible for retroactive payouts if they could […]
Veterans in Suicidal Crisis Can Go To Any Health Care Facility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 13, 2023 Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for free emergency health care WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any […]
Veterans Face Extended Delays for Referrals for Specialty Care Outside VA Facilities, Watchdog Finds
5 Jan 2023 • Military.com • By Patricia Kime Less than half of veterans are receiving Department of Veterans Affairs referrals for specialty care from outside doctors on time, a new report published Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office found. Those specialist visits can be […]
VA Starts Early Review of Claims for Veterans With Terminal Illnesses Under the PACT Act
12 Dec 2022 • Military.com • By Patricia Kime The Department of Veterans Affairs has started processing disability compensation claims for veterans who are eligible under the PACT Act and have a terminal illness, weeks before processing is set to begin for all veterans covered […]
With $185M Raised, Here’s What’s Ahead for National Medal of Honor Museum
7 Dec 2022 • Fort Worth Star-Telegram • By Matt Leclercq The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, which broke ground in March, has raised more than $185 million so far toward its goal of about $230 million to open in late 2024. […]
Today in American Legion history:
Dec. 8, 1941: The Japanese Imperial Army moves into Shanghai, China, to secure the area and prevent an underground resistance. Many of those captured are members of China American Legion Post 1, including Commander Frank Delacy Mortimer. One year earlier, in 1940, with uncommon foresight […]
Navy Facing Another Suicide Cluster as Lawmaker Says Key Reforms Haven’t Been Implemented
2 Dec 2022 • Military.com • By Konstantin Toropin The Navy is dealing with another cluster of suicides in Norfolk, Virginia, with four sailors having died by suicide at the Navy’s Naval Maintenance Center in just over a month according to NBC News. Three deaths […]
Veterans Groups Press for Long-Shot Expansion of GI Bill Eligibility for Guard and Reserves
2 Dec 2022 • Military.com • By Rebecca Kheel Leading veterans organizations are pushing senators to take up legislation to expand GI Bill eligibility for National Guardsmen and reservists before the end of this congressional session, after which their efforts would have to go back […]
New life insurance program for disabled vets to launch in January
Military Times By Leo Shane III • Nov 29, 01:22 PM Disabled veterans will be guaranteed access to life insurance policies under a new Veterans Affairs program set to launch early next year, department officials announced Tuesday. The move opens up basic coverage for a […]
VA Unveils New Scholarships for Future Mental Health Workers
VA Unveils New Scholarships for Future Mental Health Workers as Agency Works to Combat Shortages 21 Nov 2022 • Military.com • By Drew F. Lawrence The Department of Veterans Affairs, facing “severe” specialist shortages including in psychiatry, is offering prospective health care workers new scholarships […]
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
19 November 2022 is a day set aside for survivors of suicide loss. International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience. This year, International Survivors of […]