Top 5: lives changed, a life saved, statement of support
1. Legion service officers change lives
Since it opened in 2018, The American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R) service office at the John H. Geiger Operations Center (GOC) in Indianapolis has successfully filed or appealed more than $195 million in Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation for veterans.
Behind those numbers, though, are stories.
During a special event at the GOC, four Vietnam War veterans, and a fifth veteran via Zoom, who have been assisted by staff at the office shared their stories of how The American Legion changed their life thanks to the assistance provided with filing a claim and being awarded long overdue benefits earned.
The stories include events from military service that led to filing a claim, frustrations of hitting roadblocks with a claim or no upgrade of service-connected disability, but then gratitude after a Legion representative was able to help them get the benefits they’d earned.
Read their stories of how The American Legion service officers changed their life.
Read more: In his address to the National Executive Committee during Fall Meetings Oct. 11, National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer shares more how the Legion changes and saves lives.
2. A statement of support
The American Legion released a statement in response to the Hamas attacks on Israel, strongly condemning the violence in the Mideast and extending its full support for U.S. troops heading into the Eastern Mediterranean to deter further escalation.
“We find ourselves on the precipice of a war that could lead to the loss of more lives and lead to a broader conflict,” said American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer. “We stand with Israel and condemn the attacks by Hamas. At the same time, we pray for those lost to the senseless violence and for the safety of our men and women in uniform who are standing by to protect our national interests.”
Additionally, Seehafer pointed out that this attack comes at a time when Congress has failed to act on several major issues related to national security.
“The fact that the U.S. House of Representatives is without a speaker is alarming,” he said. “Congress must prioritize filling the speaker’s seat and expediting key matters involving our military such as confirming all general officer nominations, funding our military and ensuring our servicemembers get paid.”
Take action: If there is a government shutdown following Nov. 17, American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer said “we really need to apply the pressure that Congress passes a Pay Our Troops Act, one that will ensure our military and our Coast Guard are paid throughout the duration.” See this bill under National Security.
3. A life saved
A disabled veteran in Johnson City, Tenn., was going to be evicted from his residence in less than four days. His sign placed in his yard stated he had run out of funds and needed help packing up, as well with renting a moving truck.
The daughter of past Greeneville American Legion Post 64 Commander Grady Barefield lives near the veteran, saw the sign and reached out to her father. Barefield then reached out to American Legion First District Commander Jim McLaughlin to see what could be done to assist the veteran. McLaughlin reached out to Johnson City Post 24 leadership and asked them to look into the situation.
The situation was serious, and action was taken. As a result, the veteran received both the moving truck and help packing from 10 different First District Legion posts, some from more than 80 miles away. And the work of the First District Legion Family may have also saved a life in the process.
“The man’s beaten cancer a couple times, so he’s not had an easy life. So honest to God, when we showed up that morning … it made a difference,” McLaughlin said.
“(Post 24 Adjutant) Mike Metzner, he looked at me and said, ‘Today we saved a life, boss.’ And I said, ‘Yes sir, we did.’ We’re here to help. We’re here to be the one.”
More calls answered: American Legion Post 2 Commander Kenneth ‘Rosy’ Rosenbaum in Helena, Mont., answered a call of a veteran in crisis. He drove him to the VA and remains in contact during his rehabilitation. Rosenbaum asks, “Where would he be today without our American Legion national emphasis on Be the One?”
4. Next week is your time to check in
Monday, Oct. 16, kicks off the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) first National Buddy Check Week. VA is encouraging the participation of all American Legion members, as is National Commander Dan Seehafer, who recently issued this Commander’s Message underscoring the importance of the initiative. Since The American Legion’s Buddy Check program got underway in 2019 date, at least 1 million veterans have been reached.
Recently VA Secretary Denis McDonough spoke with The American Legion about Buddy Checks, their relationship and more. Read the story. And download the Legion’s Buddy Check resource kit available here and door hangers here.
Help kick it off: Join The American Legion and VA as they host a National Buddy Check Week kickoff webinar on Oct. 16 at this link.
5. White House doctor turned telehealth expert
The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast welcomes special guest Dr. Jennifer Peña, who is board certified in internal medicine, a U.S. Army veteran, a former physician in the White House Medical Unit under both the Obama and Trump administrations, and an expert in digital and telehealth.
Peña joined the Army after graduating from Yale University as a pathway to medical school and was nominated to serve as the primary physician for both Vice President Biden and Pence thanks to the care she provided to general officers in the Army, including the first female surgeon general of the Army who nominated her. Peña left the military in 2019 and transitioned to telehealth care – a practice she has perfected from her time in service and over the last five years, especially during the pandemic.
Hear why Peña says humility in the White House physician role is key to being successful and how telehealth care has grown immensely from acute care to other avenues, such as hospice care.
There’s more: Other topics discussed in this episode include: shaving the sergeant major of the Army is now a video game; how a veteran-owned gun shop is saving lives; and ways an Army colonel enforces rules on and off the football field.