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Photo courtesy of Department of Illinois |
By The Department Of Illinois
For the leadership of the American Legion chapters in Illinois, the annual membership caravan kicking off this week is a forum to share and update veterans about issues that directly impact them, and to grow the ranks and the backbone of its active base.
For one short week starting Friday, January 11, 2008, and led by National Vice Commander David Korth of Post 54 of Marshville, Wisc., accomplished leaders and advocates will traverse 20 different locations across the state: Gurnee, Arlington Heights, Elburn, Genoa, Freeport, Pearl City, Milan, Knoxville, Springfield, Virden, Kampsville, East Alton, Fairview Heights, Steeleville, Marion, Flora, Salem, Patoka, Sullivan, Westville, Champaign, Dept HQ, Delevan, Dwight, Evergreen Park, Tinley Park. A complete schedule of days and times is available at here.
Chief subjects of the assemblies will cover the programs and activities of the American Legion at the national and the state levels - topics ranging from community events remembering POWs/MIA, outreach and the work of the various committees, and championing childrens' welfare.
"There is no need to point out what individuals, families and friends have lost in serving our countries," said Korth. "There is a need to ensure that those who have served get all that they deserve.
"The growing numbers of vets requesting assistance - over 800,000 claims filed yearly - requires a direct response from the public. It is our duty to ensure delivery of the proper caliber of services to these men and women - that which is in accordance with the role of honored patriot." Over 5.5 million vets are ministered to in the VA hospital system, with 264,000 of those having served in Iraq. While a new VA hospital is slated to open in Orlando, Florida, in 2012, "the facility is a single brick used in constructing a much more comprehensive and cohesive program," added Korth.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. The Legion's 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
Beyond the federal benefits available, the State of Illinois organizes support for Illinois' veterans and family members ranging from compensation, education and employer programs, to insurance, burial, real estate/mortgages, legal assistance and permits. Sustaining that effort has resulted in the State producing a "Serving Those Who Have Served" booklet which contains Web site addresses and telephone numbers for resources available through federal, state, and local agencies and organizations (http://www.il.gov/iserved), including the American Legion.
