By Linda Dvorak This past month I had an email from a concerned member wondering why we don’t emphasize our programs more and often talk membership. This is a very good question and one that deserves an answer. First of all, as we all know, […]
Commentary by Department Commander Jennifer Havlick March 7, 2023 Charities across Minnesota have heard a great deal of discussion about lawmakers possibly getting rid of electronic-pulltabs, better known as e-tabs. No bills have been filed, but legislators have said publicly the matter is on the […]
1 Mar 2023 • Military.com • By Amanda Miller Veterans who received care at non-VA emergency rooms since 2010 could now get some of their out-of-pocket costs reimbursed years later, even if their claims were previously denied. The VA is finalizing a new rule, published […]
The American Legion, Allied Charities & Protect Our Charities MEDIA ADVISORY Tim Engstrom, Director of Communications The American Legion Department of Minnesota 952-679-0134 News conference scheduled for Monday: E-tabs are essential to Minnesota WHAT: Allied Charities of Minnesota, The American Legion Department of Minnesota and […]
MONTEVIDEO – Potential residents, future employees and local businesses are invited to learn more about the Montevideo Veterans Home at a community office open house. The event will be held Tuesday, March 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Montevideo Veterans Home Community Office […]
21 Feb 2023 • Military.com • By Patricia Kime The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case filed by a Navy SEAL and veterans advocates over new regulations put in place in 2020 by the Department of Veterans Affairs that led to families being told they […]
By SVETLANA SHKOLNIKOVA • STARS AND STRIPES • February 21, 2023 WASHINGTON — A group of lawmakers are continuing a yearslong push to establish student veteran centers at universities and colleges, calling for more support for former service members adjusting to academic life. The bicameral […]
A better life By Tim Engstrom The Minnesota Legionnaire BROOKLYN CENTER — The tale is as old as veterans in America. Veterans exit the military. They don’t stay connected with veterans. They lose a sense of purpose and that feeling of camaraderie. They struggle. But […]
HF732 is the bill moving through the house and SF992 is the bill moving through the senate. Our American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative chairman Kristy Janigo testified in support of HF732. Below is the article that appeared in the Star Tribune. FEBRUARY 4, 2023 […]
By WYATT OLSON • STARS AND STRIPES • January 31, 2023 The Department of Veterans Affairs shelled out about $201 million in retroactive benefits over the past two years to nearly 7,000 “blue water” Navy Vietnam War veterans and their survivors in connection to exposure […]
The American Legion; JAN 25, 2023 A barricade that prevented some World War II veterans from receiving VA care has been removed, thanks to a relentless drive by The American Legion. The legislation exempts World War II veterans from the means test needed to receive […]
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s One Minnesota Budget invests in the things that matter most to Minnesotans: our children and families, economic future, health and safety, and a state government that works for all Minnesotans. The budget includes the largest tax cut in state […]
Military Times By Leo Shane III • Jan 24, 05:42 PM Veterans Affairs officials want to remind vets that some department benefits extend not only for the rest of their lives, but also after they pass away. Only about 20% of veterans who died last […]
Defense News By Joe Gould • Jan 23, 04:06 PM WASHINGTON ― The U.S. defense-industrial base is not ready for a battle over Taiwan, as it would run out of key long-range, precision-guided munitions in less than one week, according to a new report by […]
Military Times By Leo Shane III • Jan 23, 11:20 AM The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously rejected arguments by a disabled veteran that he and other individuals who missed filing deadlines for disability benefits should still be eligible for retroactive payouts if they could […]
Ray Kane is an organ recipient ST. PAUL — The American Legion Department of Minnesota Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Committee has hired Army veteran Ray Kane of Hastings Post 47 to be the next department service officer. He will office on the first floor of […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 13, 2023 Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for free emergency health care WASHINGTON – Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any […]
5 Jan 2023 • Military.com • By Patricia Kime Less than half of veterans are receiving Department of Veterans Affairs referrals for specialty care from outside doctors on time, a new report published Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office found. Those specialist visits can be […]
12 Dec 2022 • Military.com • By Patricia Kime The Department of Veterans Affairs has started processing disability compensation claims for veterans who are eligible under the PACT Act and have a terminal illness, weeks before processing is set to begin for all veterans covered […]
By Tim Engstrom SAUK CENTRE — The story of Air Force and Army veteran Nathan Smith fits the definition of serendipity: “The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.” Smith, 46, is the adjutant of Sauk Centre Post 67 […]
7 Dec 2022 • Fort Worth Star-Telegram • By Matt Leclercq The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, which broke ground in March, has raised more than $185 million so far toward its goal of about $230 million to open in late 2024. […]
Dec. 8, 1941: The Japanese Imperial Army moves into Shanghai, China, to secure the area and prevent an underground resistance. Many of those captured are members of China American Legion Post 1, including Commander Frank Delacy Mortimer. One year earlier, in 1940, with uncommon foresight […]
2 Dec 2022 • Military.com • By Konstantin Toropin The Navy is dealing with another cluster of suicides in Norfolk, Virginia, with four sailors having died by suicide at the Navy’s Naval Maintenance Center in just over a month according to NBC News. Three deaths […]
2 Dec 2022 • Military.com • By Rebecca Kheel Leading veterans organizations are pushing senators to take up legislation to expand GI Bill eligibility for National Guardsmen and reservists before the end of this congressional session, after which their efforts would have to go back […]
ST. CLOUD — Legionville Education Center is in a strong position again after a string of lean years. The Department Executive Committee on Oct. 27 received a report from Carl Moon of Zimmerman Post 560, as he was elected president of the Legionville Board of […]
Military Times By Leo Shane III • Nov 29, 01:22 PM Disabled veterans will be guaranteed access to life insurance policies under a new Veterans Affairs program set to launch early next year, department officials announced Tuesday. The move opens up basic coverage for a […]
A pavilion to remember BAYPORT — It’s been 100 years since South Stillwater changed its name to Bayport. City Councilor Michele Hanson wanted to mark the name-change centennial with a project in a park, and she walked into Bayport American Legion Post 491 asking for […]
VA Unveils New Scholarships for Future Mental Health Workers as Agency Works to Combat Shortages 21 Nov 2022 • Military.com • By Drew F. Lawrence The Department of Veterans Affairs, facing “severe” specialist shortages including in psychiatry, is offering prospective health care workers new scholarships […]
19 November 2022 is a day set aside for survivors of suicide loss. International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience. This year, International Survivors of […]
By COREY DICKSTEIN • STARS AND STRIPES • November 15, 2022 When Capt. Kelsey Hastings takes command of the Marine Corps’ revered Silent Drill Platoon later this month, she will become the unit’s first female leader — and its first-ever female member. Hastings, a 2017 […]