The American Legion APR 17, 2020 As social distancing guidelines continue, American Legion departments, districts and posts face challenges with conducting meetings. There are many options for holding virtual meetings where participants can join in remotely, contribute to the discussion, vote and participate in other […]
By Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Larry Herke This year more than ever, we want to extend our deepest appreciation to the caring staff at our five Minnesota Veterans Homes during National Skilled Nursing Care Week, which we are renaming Minnesota Veterans Homes Week. I […]
Good morning Legionnaires, I want to thank The American Legion family for all you are doing for The American Legion Department of Minnesota in these unprecedented times. I see an opportunity for our Department to come out of this crisis a stronger more efficient organization. […]
Longtime Department of Minneosota National Executive Committee Man Don Schroedl, 98, of Minneapolis, died April 7. Funeral services and burial at Fort Snelling were private. Schroedl, an Air Force veteran of World War II, served 22 years as NEC man, from 1975 to 1997. He […]
Go big or go home By Tim Engstrom The Minnesota Legionnaire The Minnesota Military Museum has existed in a building — actually several buildings — at Camp Ripley for 40 years. If all goes as planned, the museum will have a major new home in […]
Dear GI Bill Students, We realize you may be dealing with difficulties during the COVID-19 crisis. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be able to help. The VA Debt Management Center (DMC) is offering temporary financial relief if you are unable to pay your […]
BRAINERD — The motto of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment, is: “Remember Bataan … Never Forget!” The 78th annual wreath-laying ceremony in Brainerd in honor of the 194th Armor Regiment soldiers who endured the brutality of the Bataan Death March happened April […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
On Feb. 19, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed afternoon relaxation talking with folks at Traxler’s Hunter Preserve near Le Center and at Montgomery Post 79. They were the ninth and 10th stops on his tour of Minnesota. Click on an […]
On Feb. 19, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed lunch at Mankato Post 11, which meets at Mankato VFW Post 950, the eighth stop on his tour of Minnesota. He spoke with young veterans from the area and with Minnesota State […]