Top 5: close labor gaps, life on base, Be the One for homeless veterans
1. Close labor gaps
In this week’s Commander’s Message, American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer wrote that “for many years, The American Legion has worked to help transitioning military personnel convert their experiences in uniform into credits to help them move quickly and effectively into civilian careers that require special licenses and credentials. Many of those civilian careers are in serious need of qualified professionals, especially in such areas as commercial truck driving and nursing.
“Task Force Movement was launched in April 2022 to speed up and ease the process for veterans to work in the commercial trucking industry, which now has some 80,000 vacancies. The American Legion is proud to have a place on the steering committee of Task Force Movement, a White House initiative that unites key stakeholders from industry, education, labor, government and the military to help our nation fulfill two key objectives.”
“All stakeholders – including The American Legion – have a responsibility to close these labor gaps because understaffed hospitals, idled trucks and online vulnerabilities do not simply represent economic inconvenience; they threaten our national security.”
Get involved: Task Force Movement looks to continue building its roster of partners from industry, government, education, charitable foundations that want to support the initiative and the veteran community. Online registration forms to get involved are available on the TFM website at taskforcemovement.org.
2. Be the One for homeless veterans
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.
“Most of the time we hear Be the One in the realm of suicide awareness prevention,” he said. “Be the One can also be part of helping our homeless veterans and connecting our veterans to the resources that are available locally to you.”
McClellan provided guidance on how to:
· Understand how no two homeless veterans and their needs are the same.
· Get the veteran into treatment, whether they are eligible for VA assistance or not, and ensure the veteran is able to get to the treatment provided.
· Find shelter, including overcoming barriers to locate housing for homeless veterans.
· Help the veteran gain employment.
· Advocate for homeless veterans at the state and federal level.
Save the date: The next Training Tuesday session will be Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Topic of discussion is on implementing The American Legion’s 21st Century Report. Visit the Training Tuesday webpage for more information.
3. Blind, deaf and pushing the limits
In this week’s episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast, Army and Navy veteran Aaron Hale shares his story about becoming the first blind and deaf person to finish the “world’s toughest footrace” – the Badwater 135. It’s a 135-mile race that starts at 282 feet below sea level and ends at an elevation of 8,360 feet.
Hale was on his second deployment in Afghanistan in 2011 when an IED blast ended his operational career and left him blind. Then, a serious bout with bacterial meningitis took his hearing. “I was not only to be 100% blind, I was going to be 100% deaf,” Hale said.
Since his diagnosis, Hale has started a fudge company with his wife, hosts his own podcast and pushes his limits as a runner. “If I can continue to live the best life I can, maybe I can inspire others to do the same.”
Listen to Hale’s inspiring story.
There’s more: The American Legion’s Be the One podcast episode released Nov. 1 welcomed Dr. Ruth Moore, who attempted suicide after leaving the Navy in 1987 following assaults related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). In her recovery, she earned her Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University and now helps veterans and others dealing with trauma and other related issues. Listen here.
4. Legion addresses life on base
American Legion volunteers and staff took a critical step in improving the lives of servicemembers and their families during the initial Base Assessment and Servicemember Experience (BASE) program visit at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 23-24. The BASE program kicked off with a town hall that was attended by about 50 Marines, base leadership and MCAS staff members.
Key topics from the town hall, tour of the base and meetings included childcare, base housing and barracks, community relations, access to health care (especially for women) and amenities such as the fitness center and recreational options for families with children.
The intent of these visits is to work with the Department of Defense and congressional leaders to foster a constructive dialogue on improving quality-of-life conditions for military members and their families. By sharing everyday experiences, town hall participants can help shape legislation that is impactful and can contribute to improvements or solutions in Yuma and throughout the military community.
Learn more: Download the Legion’s BASE program brochure to learn more about what it is, the mission and goal.
5. Donate your used vehicle
The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program continues to see a record number of yearly donations that in turn support Legion programs benefitting veterans, their families and children and youth. Do you have, or know someone who has, a used vehicle to donate and benefit The American Legion?
Vehicles are donated through Charitable Auto Rides & Services Inc. (CARS), which accepts vehicles (car, truck, van, SUV, boat, motorcycle, RV and more) in almost any condition, whether they can be driven or not, in all 50 states. A portion of the proceeds from the auction sale will benefit American Legion charities and programs. Learn how to donate your vehicle here.
Another donation: Donate your time to help with the 2024 National American Legion Oratorical Finals in Hillsdale, Mich., May 18-19. The high school speaking contest on the U.S. Constitution is in need of judges, escorts, holding room monitors and assigned topic monitors. Fill out the volunteer form.