This week's top five

1. Volunteer efforts by servicemembers recognized

The “need to be out doing something” helped earn Mason Couch the 2022 American Legion Spirit of Service Award. For the award, Couch, a U.S. Coast Guard Marine Science Technician 3rd Class, was recognized for his volunteer efforts which were visible last month when he led a beach cleanup for Earth Day at Centennial Park Beach in Port Jefferson, N.Y. “I just love to do a lot of volunteer work because I hate sitting still,” he said. “We only have one earth and kind of feel like we’re obligated to clean up and try to do our best to make sure that what we have stays nice, stays clean.”

Go deeper: The American Legion Spirit of Service Award honors members of the U.S. armed forces who have selflessly distinguished themselves over and above their normal duties predominately through community service activities and professional achievement. Recipients are recognized on stage at The American Legion’s annual national convention. This year it will be in Charlotte, N.C.

2. National commander delivers “Be the One” message

The American Legion’s annual Spring Meetings were held in Indianapolis this week. American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola delivered his remarks Wednesday before the National Executive Committee and other Legion leadership on the organization’s suicide prevention initiative, “Be the One,” among other items. “The bottom line is that Be the One has and is saving lives,” he said.

Share your story: The American Legion wants to hear about your “Be the One” upcoming events or personal story of how the initiative has impacted you. You can share at legiontown.org under the “Be the One” category. 

3. A welcome home for Vietnam veterans

The American Legion is one of more than 90 organizations participating in “Welcome Home! A Nation Honors our Vietnam Veterans and their Families,” on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event kicked off May 11 and runs through May 13. American Legion representatives will be on hand to thank Vietnam veterans, answer questions and provide resources. For a schedule of events, click here.

Watch a Vietnam Seabee’s story: At 25, David O. Warnken of Hutchinson, Kan., was informed one day that his draft notice was in the mail, but there was one billet available for him in the Navy. He took it. Sooner than he could have imagined, the farm boy from Kansas was a Seabee in the Vietnam War, an experience that would forever shape his life.

4. Collect your favorite Chip Ganassi Racing drivers with a donation

During the month of May, those who make a donation to The American Legion using this auction page will be shipped official 2023 Chip Ganassi Racing trading cards. All proceeds will benefit American Legion charities and the fight to end veteran suicide through the Legion’s “Be the One” initiative.

Tune in: Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) Alex Palou will be behind the wheel of the No. 10 American Legion Honda, featuring the Legion’s “Be the One” suicide-prevention message, on May 13 for the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Watch at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. 

5. Life lessons from an Operation Desert Storm Marine veteran

James Sisco, a combat tested leader and seasoned executive with a 23-year military career as a Reconnaissance Marine and Naval Intelligence Officer, is the author of The War Journal: A Young Marine’s Discovery of Critical Life Lessons from Desert Storm. The book offers a rare depiction of the adversity and hardships experienced by Operation Desert Storm veterans. On this week’s American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast with Sisco, he highlights a story from the book about Mike. He and Mike had an altercation, then a few minutes later an accident with a hand grenade ended Mike’s life. What he found in Mike’s wallet compounded Sisco’s emotions. What did he find? Check out this week’s podcast.

Nominate a guest: The American Legion welcomes recommendations for guests on its weekly podcast, Tango Alpha Lima. Nominate someone here.