The national commander addressed American Legion leadership on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, base visits, Legion Baseball centennial and more.
The American Legion commemorated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and Fall of Saigon last week with personal stories (here, here and here) of those who were still in and around Saigon those final two days of war.
“To all Vietnam War veterans, The American Legion says, ‘Thank you and welcome home,’” said American Legion National Commander James A LaCoursiere Jr. in his opening remarks to the National Executive Committee and other leadership in Indianapolis for the organization’s annual Spring Meetings on May 8. “The despair that many Vietnam veterans still feel today is not unlike what our Afghanistan veterans have also experienced with the poorly planned withdrawal from that country just a few years ago. Whether psychological trauma was induced by war or any other circumstance, The American Legion is a friend to all veterans. It is okay to not be okay. You are why The American Legion exists and why we have (the veteran suicide prevention program) Be the One.”
Loss of a job can affect mental health and LaCoursiere advised that the Legion’s Washington, D.C., office has been engaged with the current administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins about the importance of veteran preference in hiring and retention.
“We have been repeatedly assured by the VA Secretary and members of Congress that the (VA) reductions will not impact (veteran) benefits and health care,” LaCoursiere said. “Those who attended the Washington Conference heard Secretary Doug Collins publicly profess his commitment to veterans. We will continue to monitor the impact of these policies as we advocate for veterans.”
The American Legion’s Government Affairs office in D.C. continues extensive work on behalf of veterans, LaCoursiere said in his Commander’s Message last week. The national commander also noted that the recently announced 4% increase in the VA’s budget fits in well with the Legion’s legislative agenda.
LaCoursiere toured Shaw Air Force Base during his visit to the Department of South Carolina in March. The limited dining options and housing challenges were a few issues brought to his attention, with command officials and community members sharing that airmen receive about $400 less in monthly housing allowances than those stationed at nearby For Jackson. This was the same sentiment heard last October when a Legion delegation visited Shaw Air Force Base for its Base Assessment and Servicemember Experience (BASE) program, which was established to address issues facing military members and their families by visiting various installations.
“We have brought this to the attention of Congress,” LaCoursiere said. “If we want to attract and retain the best volunteers to serve, we must insist that the quality of life for families is worthy of that service.”
Military quality of life is important to national security, as previously stated by Mario Marquez, American Legion Executive Director of Government Affairs in the D.C. office, but also to the next generation of servicemembers. A survey conducted by Blue Star Families found that only 32% of active-duty families would recommend military service to a young relative; 72% of the families surveyed said two incomes were vital to their well-being; and 72% said it took their spouses more than three months to find work after a permanent change of station.
“These statistics prove what our friends in the Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion have known all along: It isn’t just the veteran who serves, but their families as well,” said LaCoursiere, who went on to mention that the Legion has been involved in more than 1,100 career events to help veterans and families transition, advocated for the Elizabeth Dole Act, is calling for VA Home Loan transferability for family members, and why the organization wants spouses of the fallen to be able to keep their benefits when they remarry.
“Family is vitally important to The American Legion… and not just those that include veterans,” he said. “Our youth programs benefit entire communities and mold the leaders of tomorrow.”
The American Legion is in celebration mode with American Legion Baseball’s centennial, the 250th birthdays of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and next year marking America’s 250th birthday. There is a dedicated Legion Baseball centennial webpage with a department history of the program, merchandise, stories of players and coaches, and the centennial toolkit for Legion Family members to use to share the program’s milestone in their communities..
American Legion Baseball originated in Milbank, S.D., in 1925 when Sioux Falls attorney and South Dakota American Legion Department Commander Frank G. McCormick invited Maj. John L. Griffith to speak at the department convention. At the time, Griffith was commissioner of the Western Conference (later the Big Ten). He spoke to Legionnaires about the importance of athletics in the development of youth.
“Intelligent courage, fighting instinct and cooperation are some things which I believe are visibly expressed in our athletic games,” Griffith told delegates 100 years ago. “American Legion posts, as a matter of citizenship training, could easily carry on such athletic activities throughout the United States.”
I can’t tell you how many times since I’ve been commander that I’ve met with a public official, a military member or community leader who has told me about their experience as a participant in one of our youth programs … baseball, oratorical, Boys and Girls State, shooting sports … you name it,” LaCoursiere added. “Our programs touch many and they make a difference.”
Additional meeting coverage of the NEC Spring Meetings will follow in the coming days.
