Tune in to training on Buddy Checks

The next Training Tuesday is March 28 at 7 p.m. Eastern. Join The American Legion Internal Affairs & Membership Division as they discuss the importance of Buddy Checks and how to conduct them.

Join the Training Tuesday discussion on Buddy Checks here.

As American Legion members, our most sacred responsibility is to look out for each other and our fellow veterans. Buddy Checks are our opportunity to reconnect with veterans who may need assistance but don't know where to go or who to ask. These contacts may be made by a personal visit, phone or email, or a combination. The important part is to reach out to veterans in your community to let them know you care and can provide whatever assistance they may need. It's what we do for our battle buddies. 

Dallas Erdman of American Legion Post 19 in Benton, Ark., was calling post members and reached the wife of a member whose husband “served in Vietnam and was suffering from Alzheimer's and two of the Agent Orange presumptive conditions. She needed help but had no idea of who to contact,” he said. “After I gave her the contact information of our (veteran service officer), I stayed in contact with her and she now has a claim in process.

A Buddy Check Toolkit is available for members and posts. It explains the program, provides steps to conducting a successful Buddy Check, gives sample scripts and more. Download it here.