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. […]
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 […]