Support our American Legion comrades in Dorian’s path

Dear American Legion Family and Friends,

I didn’t want my first electronic communication as national commander to you to be about a devastating hurricane. I would have much preferred to have shared news about a successful American Legion program. Or told you about an American Legion post doing remarkable community service projects. Or written about young Legionnaires leading the way into our second century of successes.

But the urgent situation in Florida and along the Eastern Seaboard necessitates this important message. As you know, Hurricane Dorian is threatening to unleash its wrath, taking lives, destroying homes and businesses, and leaving a mess that will take months — or longer — to clean up.

We’ll know more specifics about the human toll and the physical damage in the days to come.

But we are certain that American Legion members will need our help. And that’s where our National Emergency Fund (NEF) comes into play. NEF has helped thousands of our members who have had their lives shattered by natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and more.

Eligible American Legion members and Sons of The American Legion members affected by Dorian can learn more about the application process for NEF grants here. American Legion posts that have sustained damage are eligible too.

In my home state of North Carolina, we are not immune from tragedies brought on by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw at us. I know that Legionnaires and posts from around my state have benefitted from the kindness our donors have shown over the years.

A few years ago, Legion Post 240 in Spring Lake, N.C., reopened after Hurricane Matthew, thanks to NEF. “The grant kept us going while I was still trying to get other funds raised,” Past Post Commander Mark Erskine said. “If it wasn’t for (the grant), we would have been doing nothing.”

First and foremost, at this time, keep our comrades in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia in your prayers. And please consider a donation to NEF to help keep the fund viable for our brothers and sisters who find themselves facing recovery from natural disasters in the years to come.