Chairman

National Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission
The American Legion

In October 2009, Michael D. Helm of Nebraska accepted the appointment of American Legion National Commander Clarence Hill to serve as Chairman of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission. Helm formerly served as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Commission form 2004-2009.Mike also chairs the "System Worth Saving Task Force", a team of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers, providing in-depth, and up to-date analysis of the status of VA Healthcare to Congress and to veterans advocates nationwide. He also is a member of the Veteran's Planning and Coordination Committee.

Mike was born in McCook, Nebraska. He grew up in the Norcatur, Kansas area where he still lives today. He is a Rural Mail Carrier with over 30 years of service.

Mike earned his eligibility for The American Legion by his service in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1973. He served with the 82nd ABN DIV in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Helm earned the Ranger Tab during the winter of 1972.

He has served The American Legion at the local, Department (state), and National levels and was elected by his peers as Nebraska's Department commander for 1987-88. He represented Nebraska as the Alternate National Executive Committeeman for 2 years, followed by 4 years as National Executive Committeeman. In 2003-04 Helm had the honor of serving as National Vice-Commander. He has also served on the Children and Youth Commission and as Vice Chairman of the Public Relations Commission. Additionally he is a member of the National Legislative Council. Mike is a member of the Sons of the American Legion, and a life member of ANIVICUS.

During Helm's year as Department commander he founded a Nebraska Scholarship that gives 10 $500 scholarships per year to Nebraska youths.

He and his wife Debbie have been married for twenty-one years. They have 5 children. Aaron is a West Point cadet graduating in 2011. Rebecca is a Chemical Engineer Sophomore at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. Jacob is a junior at Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, KS with his eye on the Air Force Academy. Matthew, a freshman, wants to follow in Aaron's footsteps, and Timothy, the youngest, is interested in sports.

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