The Americanism and Children & Youth Division continue to process Temporary Financial Assistance applications. To date, more than $66,410 have been distributed to assist the minor children of eligible veterans in maintaining basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and utilities.
The Legion’s Legislative Division is being represented today at a key Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington. Senators are considering the Pentagon’s fiscal year 2012 defense budget request for SOCOM (U.S. Special Operations Command) and CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command), under which our military forces operate in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In Los Angeles today, a Legion System Worth Saving task force begins a two-day inspection of the city’s VA medical facilities.
The American Legion's National Security/Foreign Relations Director Barry Searle is attending the launch of a lengthy study on PTS in Washington. The four-year “Assessment of Ongoing Effects in the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress” is sponsored by the Department of Defense and will examine the effects of PTS treatment by the DoD and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Searle will report his observations to the next meeting of the Legion’s ad-hoc committee on traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress in mid-March.
National Committee on Education member Raymond Lenz, staff liaison Michael Novak and a member of the Auxiliary are manning an exhibit booth at the National Association of Secondary School Principals annual convention at the Moscone Convention Center West in San Francisco. They will pass out literature and inform convention attendees about The American Legion civics and flag education programs, and the many scholarships that are available through the Legion.
National Committee on Education member Raymond Lenz, staff liaison Michael Novak and a member of the Auxiliary are manning an exhibit booth at the National Association of Secondary School Principals annual convention at the Moscone Convention Center West in San Francisco. They will pass out literature and inform convention attendees about The American Legion civics and flag education programs, and the many scholarships that are available through the Legion.
National Committee on Education member Raymond Lenz, staff liaison Michael Novak and a member of the Auxiliary are manning an exhibit booth at the National Association of Secondary School Principals annual convention at the Moscone Convention Center West in San Francisco. They will pass out literature and inform convention attendees about The American Legion civics and flag education programs, and the many scholarships that are available through the Legion.
National staff is updating a World Series guest newsletter that will be sent in March to past national commanders, Americanism Commission members and department Baseball chairmen. The newsletter provides advance information for guests on housing, a schedule of events, and information on stadium seating and sites of interest in Shelby, N.C.
Director of The American Legion’s National Security/Foreign Relations Division, Barry Searle, is attending a VSO/MSO meeting with White House staff, hosted by the Reserve Officers Association. Attendees identified “hot button” issue for their membership, which include veterans employment, TRICARE fees, the VA budget, PTS/TBI treatments and concurrent receipt.
Mr. Searle is also attending the second committee meeting for a five-year DoD program directed by Congress to study recovering warrior transition.
