Top 5: a week of results, Be the One on Wednesday, a grave threat
1. Buddy Check results
American Legion members made thousands of phone calls during the Department of Veterans Affairs first National Buddy Check Week from Oct. 16-20. And since 2019 when The American Legion’s Buddy Check program started, over 1 million veterans have been reached through Buddy Checks.
Amanda Jones, commander of American Legion Post 30 in Alaska, posted photos of her 5-year-old daughter, American Legion Auxiliary Junior member Charlee, wearing an American Legion Be the One t-shirt and shared, “It’s Buddy Check week and we are embracing it as a family!! Charlee has called 3 veterans to see how they’re doing and lifted their spirits. EveryONE can make a difference. Be the ONE.”
Department of Ohio American Legion Auxiliary Historian Dayna Beyer, a member of Unit 535 in Bellville, Ohio, made Buddy Checks. “The response from our veterans was well received,” she wrote. “Most of them were surprised to get the call. They had a chance to talk about what they are doing, how they are feeling, and what we could do for them. It was surely well worth it for sure.”
Share your results: If you or your post, unit or squadron performed Buddy Checks during VA’s National Buddy Check Week, please share your efforts at legiontown.org in the Buddy Checks category and also email sbrooks@legion.org.
2. A grave threat
American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer stressed that “America is facing its most significant threats since World War II.” He named the:
· Heartbreaking crisis in Israel created by Hamas terrorists. More than 30 Americans have been killed. American hostages are still fighting for their freedom. And let us not forget the innocent Israeli lives lost in the most barbaric and reprehensible of circumstances.
· Role of Iran and Hezbollah. Iran’s role in the Hamas terrorist attack is somewhat unclear but there are likely ties. Hezbollah, a stronger and more dangerous terrorist group than Hamas, is funded by Iran.
· Targeting of U.S. troops. Anti-American sentiments and threats are growing in the Middle East just as there is an increase in U.S. troops in harm’s way abroad.
· Russia-China alliance. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to further strengthen their anti-America alliance.
· Uncertainty of North Korea. Kim Jong Un, the volatile leader of North Korea, often orders testing of long-range, nuclear-capable missiles.
“Let’s be steadfast in our support for America. Lend our voices to the chorus of those voicing support for our military. Call on Congress to lead, not squabble. And, most of all, join me in praying for the safety of our servicemembers — and their families — who are defending our nation as this cacophony of alarm bells grows even louder.”
More from the commander: Oct. 23 marked the 40th anniversary of the First Battalion, 8th Marines Headquarters building terrorist attack in Beirut. Read National Commander Seehafer’s statement about the anniversary of the attacks.
3. Wednesday is Be the One
Wednesday, Nov. 1, is the next American Legion Be the One day.
On the first day of every month, Legion Family members are encouraged to wear a Be the One shirt or other item to show their commitment to reducing the stigma around mental health issues among veterans and servicemembers. And to start a conversation about what Be the One is and how to save the life of a veteran. Legion posts should also promote Be the One on the first day of every month.
Show us your support for Be the One Days at legiontown.org under the Be the One category.
There’s more: The American Legion welcomed retired U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Dr. Patrick McClellan for its October virtual Training Tuesday session, “Be the One: Helping Our Homeless Veterans." McClellan provided ways American Legion posts can assist homeless veterans through social support, housing, employment and treatment. Listen to the recording here.
4. Potential impact of a government shutdown
This week’s American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast focuses on what might occur for veterans, servicemembers and their families if the government shuts down on Nov. 17. American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Autrey James and National Security Chairman Matt Shuman are the special guests on this week’s episode.
“The VA will remain open,” James said, in response to a question about what might happen if Congress does not act before the Nov. 17 deadline. “There are some services that don’t necessarily affect the vast majority of veterans that may be closed. If you have an appointment with the VA during a shutdown, that is going to stay.”
In the event of a shutdown, Shuman advised having a plan, which can include reaching out to American Legion Family members for assistance. “If there are resources you need, go to your American Legion post,” he said. “This really should be the one-stop shop for the servicemember, veteran and family.”
There’s more: Tango Alpha Lima co-hosts Ashley Gutermuth and Amy Forsythe discuss: the upcoming 40th anniversary of Operation Urgent Fury, one of the biggest military operations that took place on one of the smallest islands; a two-year quest to return a World War II Marine’s diary to his family; and a farewell to a three-decade “eye in the sky” for the U.S. Air Force.
5. An honor to 265,000 women Vietnam-era veterans
The 30th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be celebrated Nov. 10-11 to honor the 265,000 women veterans – military and civilian – who served during the Vietnam era. Commemorations will include a candlelight ceremony at 6 p.m. on Nov. 10, a storytelling program at 10 a.m. on Veterans Day, and a 1 p.m. ceremony on Veterans Day at the memorial, where the annual Observance at the Wall will be dedicated to the anniversary. The keynote speaker will be Legionnaire Diane Carlson Evans, chair of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Advisory Group, founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and a former Army combat nurse and Vietnam War veteran. In 2021, Evans received The American Legion’s Distinguished Service Medal for her decades of veteran advocacy.
A message for Veterans Day: A prepared guideline Veterans Day speech is available for download here. It is only a guide; posts are encouraged to tailor it to their respective ceremony or event. If your post, district or department is hosting a Veterans Day event, please share at legiontown.org.