The AI threat, Q&A with VA Secretary Denis McDonough and more in December magazine
Don’t miss the December issue of The American Legion Magazine, with a cover story on the opportunities and threats posed by artificial intelligence, a Q&A with VA Secretary Denis McDonough and more. The clickable digi-mag is available through MyLegion.org.
• In “Eye on AI,” Andrew Hoehn and Thom Shanker argue that America at risk of losing its advantage in artificial intelligence to China – and becoming more vulnerable to a spectrum of AI-enabled threats from a host of state and non-state actors. “The problems are coming at us at light speed, 186,000 miles per second,” they write. “We need a national security system that can move at that speed too.”
• In an exclusive interview, VA Secretary Denis McDonough talks about VA initiatives to reduce veteran suicide, The American Legion’s Be the One mission, implementation of the PACT Act, improving access to health care for women veterans and more.
• Task Force Movement (TFM) has added health care to trucking and cybersecurity in its mission to fast-track veteran certification in specialized fields and close critical gaps in the U.S. economy. “We’re facing a persistent shortage in medical personnel in the U.S. health system, which the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated,” TFM Chairman Patrick Murphy said. “We, as a country, should be able to easily transform those coming out of the military with these skills to health-care positions we need to fill, by supporting the education, training and licensure of those who want to pursue much-needed positions.”
• On Dec. 16, American Legion Family members will participate in the 31st National Wreaths Across America (WAA) Day, supporting and even leading WAA events at some 4,000 locations. In Wisconsin, for example, American Legion Riders from District 8 annually raise enough money to purchase a wreath for every grave – more than 7,200 – at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Meeting that goal has been “a dream come true,” say local coordinators Ray and Evelyn McSherry, Riders from the Palmer-Ritchie-Thomas Post 153 Legion Family.
• Over the past decade, The American Legion has provided more than $6 million in Temporary Financial Assistance to military and veteran families in need, with one-time grants made possible through the Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF). Contributions to VCF also provide funding to train the Legion’s 3,000-plus service officers. “Benefits offered do little good if claims are lost to the bureaucracy,” says American Legion National Commander Dan Seehafer. “This is why a corps of trained service officers is so essential.” Make a donation to VCF here.
Members can click here to access the digital magazine.
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