Legionnaires are interviewed before National Commander Helm’s testimony before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs on Feb. 25 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

A crowd of Legionnaires wait to enter Cannon House Building room 345 to watch National Commander Helm testify before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs on Feb. 25 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas

American Legion VA&R Division Director Louis Celli addresses the crowd before Helm’s testimony. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion

Room 345 fills before Helm testifies. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

National Commander Mike Helm talks with past national commanders before testifying. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion

American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Ralph Bozella prepares his notes before the Legion's testimony. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

National Commander Mike Helm begins his testimony before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs on Feb. 25. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion

National Commander Mike Helm greets attendees of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

Helm and the panel applause Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., for his support of the Legion's position regarding protecting the flag. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Ralph Bozella speaks before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

National Commander Mike Helm testifies before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

National Commander Mike Helm testifies before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.

Employment & Veterans Preference Committee Chairman James Fratolillo testifies before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs on Feb. 25 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion

National Commander Mike Helm answers questions from members of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion

National Commander Mike Helm and American Legion Legislative Division Director Ian De Planque react to a joke during the Legion's testimony. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion

Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., asked Commander Helm a question during the Legion's testimony. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion

A Legionnaire leaves the Cannon House Building after National Commander Mike Helm testified before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs on Feb. 25 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter/The Americ