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NORTH BEND, OREGON - For the first time in a couple of years, the National Commander of the American Legion pays a visit to Oregon, but it's been even longer since a Commander has visited the South Coast.
That was, until the recent State-wide meeting for all of the American Legion leadership in the state, which included a banquet at the Mill.
Marty Conatser was elected National Commander of the 2.7-Million member American Legion back in August.
Since then he's been getting out to visit as many states as possible, to make sure he communicates directly, what they are doing on a national scale. That includes budgetary work in Washington D.C. and working to help returning Vets from the War on Terror.
One of the main local issues he wanted to address was the level of health care services available to South and Central Coast veterans, including talk of the possible move of the Bandon V.A. Clinic a little further north on the coast.
But, he says, whether it moves or not, they are looking for it to try and expand the services available to save vets from having to make the four hour round trip to Roseburg for one hour appointments.
He also wanted to point out that the American Legion was the only "major" Veterans organization in America that grew in membership last year, and to invite all Veterans to find out more about the organization by visiting their website at legion.org.
The group grew by 18,000 members, nationally, last year.
