By Department Commander Mark Dvorak I was asked by a Legionnaire the following question: “Why so much emphasis on recruiting new members?” The answer to this question varies as why a person decides to join our great organization or why some individuals get involved at […]
Restorative Justice Act falters, but one-time transfer for surviving spouses passes By Tim Engstrom ST. PAUL — Everyone watching the Veterans Restorative Justice Act expected it to pass the House and Senate in the October special session without any problems. After all, it had passed […]
By State Public Defender Bill Ward It is incredibly unfortunate that after two years, there are still such fundamental misconceptions about the Veterans Restorative Justice Act, the policy reasoning behind the legal incentives and sanctions in the VRJA, the bill’s mechanics, and its relation to […]
Public statement by state Rep. Marion O’Neill I am extremely disappointed that a compromise on the language of the Veterans Restorative Justice Act could not be arrived at. The chief author, Rep. Rob Ecklund, and the House majority were unwilling to compromise and incorporate necessary […]
Violence-Free Minnesota and legal community favor this bill By Tim Engstrom ST. PAUL — Most laws are just a mix of legalese, vague generalities or textbook drivel. The Veterans Restorative Justice Act, however, has a passage that is quite eloquent: “It is in the interests […]
MPLS VA Healthcare System is in need of a Legion VAVS Representative. Robin Pickery retired from the position after many years. This position only requires attending quarterly meetings per year. It ensures we are doing everything we can to support the MPLS VAMC voluntary needs program (donations […]
Here’s the week in American Legion history: Nov. 1, 1921: The American Legion helps dedicate the towering Liberty Memorial in Kansas City during the organization’s third national convention. Kansas City is an early stop in the Allied Victory Tour across the United States with Gen. […]
From the November 2020 issue of The Minnesota Legionnaire … By Tim Engstrom REDWOOD FALLS — The VA’s National Cemetery Administration let the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs know last month of a $5.9 million grant for building a state veterans cemetery in Redwood Falls. […]
The American Legion Department of Minnesota volunteers their time to help Veterans through Voluntary Service, Department of Veterans Affairs. Voluntary Services reports The American Legion donated 25,621 hours from October 2019 – September 2020. We had 205 volunteers and 1400 assignments. Out of our 205 […]
Assessment: Classification Short-term Rental Property Classification Fifth Special Session 2020, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 2 Amends Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 273.13, subdivision 25. This section expands the definition of the 4b(1) classification to include short-term rental property rented for more than 14 days in […]
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 […]
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will oversee the Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program approved by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz on June 16, 2020. This program will make available $10,000 grants to Minnesotan owned and […]
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
This week in American Legion history: Oct. 19, 1922: Gen. John “Black Jack” Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in World War I, is presented The American Legion’s Distinguished Service Medal during the Fourth National Convention, at New Orleans. “I would rather have it […]
CURRENT ACTION ALERT FOR DISSEMINATION TO POSTS AND MEMBERS: https://votervoice.net/AmericanLegion/Campaigns/77447/Respond Going forward, the National Legislative Division will be sharing all Action Alerts with Department Commanders and Adjutants to expand our reach and increase the effectiveness of our digital advocacy efforts. Using Actions Alerts greatly increases […]
In American Legion history: Oct. 15, 1926: The team from American Legion Cook Post 321 of Yonkers, NY, defeats Pocatello, Idaho, by a score of 23-6 in the first American Legion Baseball World Series in Philadelphia. More than 1,100 spectators attend. The cost of running […]
Covid-19 by the Numbers: As of Date: 12-Oct-20 Population of Minnesota = 5640000 {Source Google Search} % of Population Total Tests: 2337122 Approximate # of People Tested: 1589752 28% % of Total Tests Positive Cases: 113439 2% 5% % of Positive Cases Recovered Cases: 101376 […]
Do you remember a $52 billion piece of legislation called the VA MISSION Act? It was signed into law on June 6, 2018. It was the greatest reform to VA Health Care in history. Two reforms within the multilayered legislation stood out to veterans and […]
In American Legion history: Oct. 12, 1950: Erle Cocke, Jr., of Dawson, Ga., who was wounded three times and escaped German captivity three times during World War II – once having been shot multiple times and left for dead among the corpses of his fellow […]
This week in American Legion history: Oct. 6-9, 1930: In a written report to the 12th National Convention of The American Legion in Boston, newly appointed National Marksmanship Director Frank J. Schneller of Wisconsin says 188 American Legion rifle clubs have been organized and chartered, […]
The wise words of Past National Commander Dan Foley in 1964 still apply today Greetings, American Legion Family. As we enter our 102nd year, our belief in law and order, 100 percent Americanism, promoting peace and goodwill on earth, transmitting to posterity the principles of […]
‘Tip of the Spear’ By Kara Hildreth ST. PAUL — One time, a couple showed up at the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans office in St. Paul after the husband, a veteran, lost his job. His wife quietly told MACV staff that her husband was […]
The 2020 American Legion Department of Minnesota Patriotism and Purpose Art Contest had 26 entries from across Minnesota. The entry deadline was Sept. 1, and Department staff members from The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary judged the contest. “The winning artwork will best reflect […]
This week in Legion History: 28, 1920: The American Legion Auxiliary, already off and running in more than 1,300 communities worldwide, is given The American Legion’s official sanction as an affiliated organization and authorizes it to call for a national convention of its own, the […]
It was a big day for check passing By Tim Engstrom BRAINERD — The 2020 Legionville Camporee had some big checks being passed around. For one, the 10th District American Legion Riders raised $30,000 for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, all in one weekend ride, Aug. […]
TO: MDVA Stakeholders and Veteran Suicide Prevention Allies […]
MDVA COVID Distance Learning Support Grant Veterans Home conducting COVID testing September is National Preparedness Month Resources for more information While working during COVID-19 continues to be challenging, our mission gives us strength: “Serving Minnesota Veterans, their dependents and survivors by connecting them with the […]
Lyle Foltz served one year in Vietnam with the Black Scarves By Tim Engstrom APPLE VALLEY — Vietnam veteran Lyle Foltz has been a member of Mabel Post 299 for 53 years, lives in Apple Valley and is a former Department of Minnesota adjutant. But […]
For immediate release. Questions? Contact: Tim Engstrom Director of Communications The American Legion, Department of Minnesota tengstrom@mnlegion.org Office: 651-291-1800 Cell: 952-679-0134 The American Legion Department of Minnesota COMMENTARY ON THE NATIONAL ANTHEM By Commander Mark Dvorak Sept. 14, 2020 The American Legion Department of Minnesota […]