Masks … on the double! DENT — Five thousand four hundred masks. From a partnership between Quilts of Valor and The American Legion. For veterans and staff at VA hospitals and state veteran homes. All made by a dedicated group of quilters. This is patriotism […]
“I used to work for the world’s most diverse employer.” Working in private, for-profit businesses for most of my career, that’s a phrase I would tell people, usually to other managers in discussions about our work staff but occasionally with members of the public when […]
VA & Rehabilitation By Jeremy Wolfsteller The American Legion’s national commander sends President Trump a letter on behalf of veterans, service-member, families and survivors asking on the president to instruct the secretary of veterans affairs to maintain the 48-hour review, a decades-old practice allowing veteran […]
Organization works toward consistency NEW ULM — This is the 75th year of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers, but their plans for the big year were wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. But you know how a first convention takes place in […]
Military Times: Majority of military families say they lack support upon transitioning out, survey finds Zach England | 20 hours ago Although Department of Defense officials say they like to “recruit the member, but retain the family,” there will naturally always be people transitioning out […]
By Tim Engstrom ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force, a body that meets monthly and pushes for veterans-related legislation, voiced their displeasure and frustration with lack of access to state lawmakers at their June meeting. “I’m very concerned that other interests will take […]
Get the goods to the needs WINNEBAGO — When life knocked this Legionnaire down, he got right back up. Randy Olson of the 2nd District is an Army veteran and an electrician who worked on a contract basis at Birds Eye Foods in Waseca until […]
Military.com: In US Military First, the Air Force Has Picked a Woman as Top Enlisted Leader 19 Jun 2020 Military.com | By Oriana Pawlyk The next top Air Force enlisted leader is a woman, the first to ever serve as the highest ranking enlisted non-commissioned […]
A fire chief who is involved in his community is The American Legion Outstanding Firefighter of the Year for Minnesota. Kevin Grote, chief of the North Branch Fire Department and Region 7 representative with the Minnesota Fire Chief Association, was nominated by North Branch Post […]
Legionnaires, The popular website “War on the Rocks” published a commentary this week that was critical of Veterans’ Preference. That commentary can be found here: https://warontherocks.com/2020/06/is-veterans-preference-bad-for-the-national-security-workforce/ National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford’s response to the piece can be found below. Please feel free to distribute […]
GROTON, Connecticut — The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota, SSN 783, homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London, was announced as the winner of the 2019 Battenberg Cup Award April 23. The Battenberg Cup Award for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Battle Efficiency “E” winner is […]
National Guard veteran Tony DeCristofaro talks about his fall from stellar soldier to meth dealer to life as a recovery coach By Tim Engstrom SAUK CENTRE — Tony DeCristofaro, 35, has been a substance abuser since he was 13. If you prefer, you could call […]
Meet the Minnesota Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year A life-saving deputy has been The American Legion 2020 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Minnesota. Tracey Pagel of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office performed actions last fall that saved the life of […]
By Tim Engstrom ST. PAUL — There were only three pieces of veterans-related legislation that passed out of the unusual 2020 legislative session. One was $6.2 million in COVID-19 Disaster Relief and Special Needs Grants for Minnesota Veterans. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is […]
We are currently experiencing the gravest existential threat to our organization since its founding over 100 years ago. Our public health crisis has shut down business everywhere and it is impacting the business operations of our posts throughout the state. The American Legion […]
Members, Below was posted on the GCB website this morning. Attached are the Frequently Asked Questions, Executive Order 20-63 and Form LG272. May 28, 2020 June 1 Restart – Frequently asked questions: Executive Order to Assist Veterans and Fraternal Organizations: Governor Walz signed Executive […]
By Betty Jass This year’s remembrance of Memorial Day was bittersweet with the coronavirus restrictions of not having public programs to recognize our Fallen Heroes. Many areas weren’t putting up flag displays in their cemeteries to honor them so that crowds do not gather in […]
The American Legion Department of Minnesota AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA May 21, 2020 Dear Governor Walz: Sir, on behalf of more than 66,000 American Legion veterans serving in 550 Minnesota communities, we stand with the professionals in the restaurant, bar […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2020 Olya Voytovich (Tester) | 202.224.2868 Sam Runyon (Manchin) | 202.740.6241 Karolina Wasiniewska (Blumenthal) | 202.224.0335 Martha Spieker (Hirono) | 202.365.7943 Sarah Weinstein (Shaheen) | 202.224.8028 Aaron Jacobs and Laura Epstein (Hassan) | 202.816.2057 Tester, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reinstate Critical 48-Hour […]
Blake Madison of Adrian earns American Legion scholarship ADRIAN — Blake Madison, an 18-year-old sponsored by Adrian Post 32, is The American Legion Department of Minnesota’s Eagle Scout of the Year. Madison earns a $1,000 scholarship from the Department of Minnesota. The honor was announced […]
Editor’s note: The Legionnaire recognizes most or all Memorial Day ceremonies on May 25 will not happen. Let retired Lt. Gen. Richard Nash’s words serve as your Memorial Day speech during the statewide stay-at-home order. You may reprint this in local newspapers. Remembrance during COVID-19 […]
page 1 Veterans Affairs recipients will receive automatic Economic Impact Payments; Step follows work between Treasury, IRS, VA WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service, working in partnership with the Treasury Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced today that recipients of VA benefits will […]
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. […]