Monday will mark the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; survivors share ways to prevent Military Sexual Trauma; newly elected national commander continues push to end veteran suicide.
1. Newly elected national commander’s mission: Be the One
American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer, elected Aug. 31 in Charlotte, N.C., during the 104th national convention, will continue to focus on the organization’s top priority – ending veteran suicide.
“Nothing is more important than our effort to reduce the number of veterans who die by suicide,” said Seehafer in this week’s Commander’s Message. “As I said in my acceptance speech last week, ‘… with all this talk about numbers on this very subject, the only number I want us to push is ‘one,’ as in Be the One to save one, yes, one veteran, or even their spouse, from taking his or her own life.’”
Read the Commander’s Message to see how you and/or your post can play a vital role in ending veteran suicide.
Earn a Be the One dog tag: Seehafer will award his national commander “Be the One” dog tag to any Legionnaire who enrolls two new members into The American Legion. A new member is any eligible person joining for the 2024 membership year who was not a member of The American Legion during the 2023 membership year.
2. From tragedy to triumph
The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast has launched a special series on Military Sexual Trauma. The first three of six episodes have launched that strives to raise awareness about MST, share stories of overcoming the trauma and identify solutions for those seeking help.
Listen to the first three episodes:
Part 1: An overview covers the issue, examines ongoing efforts and offers resources.
Part 2: Survivors discuss ways to prevent MST by transforming the culture.
Part 3: Male victims share their experiences, the retribution that followed and how they found hope.
The final three MST episodes will be published Sept. 12-14. The Tango Alpha Lima podcast will return to its regular schedule on Sept. 19.
Listen to Be the One: The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast is debuting a new monthly episode devoted to Be the One. Through this series, The American Legion aims to further elevate the discussion, raise awareness, and ultimately prevent veterans and servicemembers from being lost to suicide. Listen to the first episode.
3. Never forget
Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. American Legion posts conduct ceremonies on 9/11 to ensure that their communities don’t forget the lives lost that day or those lost while fighting the global war on terrorism. The American Legion wants to hear how you and/or your posts are remembering the 22nd anniversary of Sept. 11. Please share your stories and photos on Legiontown.
Remembrance 20 years later: The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast did a special series of 20 memorable, inspiring and captivating stories related to the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Listen to those stories here.
4. Catch up on national convention highlights
The American Legion’s 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., last month featured commission meetings, workshops, training sessions, distinguished guests, award presentations and the election of a new national commander.
National convention attendees heard from VA Secretary Denis McDonough; Medal of Honor recipient Harold Fritz; former U.S. Army Ranger Keni Thomas, who reflected on the battle that inspired the book and film “Black Hawk Down”; Chip Ganassi Racing owner Chip Ganassi and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles, who talked about the Legion’s involvement in INDYCAR; retired Navy Cmdr. Frank Weisser, who shared scenes and stories as a pilot flying famous actors in the award-winning film “Top Gun: Maverick”; Legionnaire and former Green Beret Keith McKim, who shared the story of the “best-kept secret” of the Vietnam War; and how a life was saved thanks to Be the One.
Read these stories and more at legion.org/convention.
There’s more: A playlist of the 104th national convention stage speakers and presentations is available on The American Legion’s YouTube channel.
5. Record-setting donations
Between the 2023 American Legion Legacy Run and donations on the 104th national convention stage in Charlotte, N.C., the Legacy Run delivered a record $1,551,631 for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. The fund awards financial aid for youth whose parents have died on active duty since 9/11, or who have received a VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
The pages in the 2022 annual report for American Legion Charities illustrate a fraction of the programs, such as the Legacy Scholarship Fund, and services supported by American Legion Charities. Other programs include Operation Comfort Warriors, Veterans and Children Foundation, Child Welfare Foundation and National Emergency Fund. Learn more about American Legion Charities.
Your donation matters: Visit The American Legion’s donate page to learn ways you can support programs that provide services to veterans, their families and youth.
- News