To celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, Utah Legion Family members conduct hundreds of wellness checks on veterans over a two-day period.
Ninzel Rasmuson led a special initiative as part of The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge in celebration of the organization’s birthday. Rasmuson, the Area 2 commander for the Department of Utah, challenged her districts to complete 250 Buddy Checks on March 16 and 17.
It did not take long to surpass the goal.
By the end of the first day, American Legion Family members completed 450 Buddy Checks by making phone calls, visiting veterans at their homes and in care facilities, and other ways. Overall, dozens of Legionnaires, Sons and Auxiliary members made more than 1,760 Buddy Checks.
“The success of the USA 250 Buddy Check Challenge across Area 2 stands as a powerful testament to what can be accomplished when Legion Family members unite in purpose and service," said Rasmuson, an Air National Guard veteran who served during the Global War on Terrorism, acknowledging the work of Post 72 in Orem and posts within Districts 4 and 8. "Through coordinated outreach, meaningful conversations, and a shared commitment to the well-being of every veteran, Area 2's posts and districts exemplified the true spirit of Be the One. Their willingness to step forward, make the calls, conduct home visits, and ensure no veteran feels forgotten reflects the very heart of The American Legion’s mission.”
The USA 250 Challenge is comprised of three components: fitness, wellness and community service. Rasmuson, a member of Post 140 in Riverton, selected Buddy Checks, which would qualify in either the wellness or community service categories.
“I picked Buddy Checks because we have the ability to really get personal and one-on-one with the veteran,” she explained. “We talk with them about how it’s going, what their needs are, if there’s anything that we can do for them, whether it be in their home or out in the community, or maybe at their workplace. We’re there to focus on what they need for their life and make sure they’re doing OK in conjunction with the Be the One mission effort for The American Legion.”
Bill Johnson, a retired Army master sergeant who served 34 years, played an instrumental role in setting up the event. He coordinated a workspace at a co-working studio, Kiln in Provo, at no cost for the two days.
“I've seen a lot of prior servicemembers in my life who have needed help after they've gotten out,” said Johnson, the sergeant-at-arms of Post 72 in Orem. “So I got involved with The American Legion. We do a lot of humanitarian stuff here in our valley. We volunteer to help folks out. We spread the word that veterans are never forgotten. All of us are here to help.”
Jack Rhodes, who also is a member of Post 72, recalled a Buddy Check he conducted with a veteran with embolism.
“He was absolutely thrilled to hear somebody's voice,” Rhodes said. “I told him we wanted him to know that we’re here. If there's something he needs, please remember us and let us know. And he said, ‘Just talking to you means a lot.’”
Rhodes, who is 86, found his purpose with The American Legion. After a few hours of doing Buddy Checks, he left to perform honor guard duties at the funeral of a veteran.
“Continuing to serve makes me feel really good; it gives me a purpose of life,” he said. “It's a wonderful feeling. It’s a way to give back to the veterans. They need to know that they have a brotherhood that supports them.”
In addition to directing the event, Rasmuson also did Buddy Checks.
She visited several Vietnam War veterans, including Jim Saxton, at the Central Utah Veterans Home. Saxton, who served in the Navy from 1961 to 1970, remembered Harvey Douglas, a battle buddy who was killed in Vietnam, just five days before his first child was born. “It was a very tender moment, and I always remember Harvey. He was a good man.”
Saxton, an American Legion past post commander, expressed his gratitude to those who took the time to visit with him.
“I don’t know how to put into words my appreciation,” he said. “It’s like love. They give love. It’s really great.”
And that’s what motivated Rasmuson to orchestrate this initiative.
“Vietnam veterans are near and dear to my heart,” she explained. “They went through a lot during a theater war that was extremely difficult. It’s an honor to be able to interview them, get to know them more, to be a part of their life as buddy to buddy through the Buddy Check process. We really, truly want to know how they’re doing and what we can do through community service to help support them in any way that we can.”
- Buddy Check