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 […]
On Feb. 19, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed breakfast at Gaylord Post 433, the seventh stop on his tour of Minnesota. Click on an image to enlarge.
On Feb. 18, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed supper at Redwood Falls Post 38, the sixth stop on his tour of Minnesota. He spoke about the importance of growing membership to carry on Legion programs, particularly ones involving young Americans. […]
On Feb. 18, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed lunch at Madelia Post 19, the fifth stop on his tour of Minnesota. He told of his 34-year military career, explained his involvement in The American Legion and how he became national […]
On Feb. 18, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed breakfast at Wells Post 210, the fourth stop on his tour of Minnesota. In addition to his comments on how vital The American Legion is to the future of the country, he […]
INDIANAPOLIS — Citing The American Legion’s “historic victory” during an important Supreme Court ruling last year, the head of the nation’s largest veterans organization welcomed another court decision yesterday as a sign that veterans memorials will now have permanent legal protection. “Last year, The American […]
On Feb. 17, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed supper at Albert Lea Post 56, the third stop on his tour of Minnesota. He spoke about efforts to halt veteran suicide, how the Legion is crucial to passing laws that benefit […]
On Feb. 17, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed lunch at Waseca Post 228, the second stop on his tour of Minnesota. Click on the image to enlarge.
On Feb. 17, The American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford enjoyed breakfast at Adams Post 146, the first stop on his tour of Minnesota. He spoke about The American Legion’s impact on America’s youth and the importance of growing and retaining Legion membership. […]
By District 39A Rep. Bob Dettmer Some of you may have received word that two bills I authored exempting congressionally chartered veterans organizations such as American Legions and VFWs from property taxes would be heard in the House Taxes Committee on Thursday. We received further […]
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has been forming its legislative initiatives for the 2020 session. Opening day of the session is Feb. 11, and Veterans Day on the Hill is slated for April 20. The MDVA plans to ask the state […]
ST. PAUL — Agent Orange is the topic of discussion for the February gathering of the Vietnam War Roundtable. Local veterans and experts will share the lasting impact of the defoliant chemical. The topic spurred great interest last year, according to the roundtable’s website. The […]
Commander’s Column, By Mark Dvorak American Legion State Oratorical Contest finals are set! They will be held at the Anoka and Osseo American Legion Posts on Saturday, Feb. 29. At this time, it appears all 10 districts will have a contestant. This is good news […]