WASHINGTON (June 3, 2010) – The American Legion welcomed the introduction of a Senate bill last week that would substantially improve and expand education benefits for veterans.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, is sponsoring the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, which he introduced in the Senate on May 27.

“This new legislation would realize some of the changes we’ve been suggesting to Congress for the past couple of years,” said Clarence Hill, national commander of The American Legion. “We’re especially happy to see that Senator Akaka’s bill would extend benefits to those veterans attending vocational schools, on-the-job training and apprenticeships.”

Hill said the original 1944 GI Bill – authored and championed by The American Legion – paid for the education of about 16 million veterans. “And half of them went to some type of vocational institution after World War II, so it’s most appropriate to expand today’s benefits beyond traditional colleges and universities.”

Robert Madden, assistant director of The American Legion’s economic division, said that if Akaka’s bill (S. 3447) becomes law, “every veteran would be free to choose any type of education and employment path that he or she happens to desire.

“Veterans have served America with pride and dedication. With bipartisan support, Congress can show its gratitude to them and their families by creating a GI Bill that is much more equitable,” Madden said.

If passed, Akaka’s legislation would upgrade veterans education benefits with several new provisions, including:

• Veterans attending vocational schools would receive the national yearly average for tuition/fee payments, plus housing stipend based upon regular rate of the military’s BHA (basic housing allowance).
• On-the-job training and apprenticeships will be paid for on a prorated schedule:
• 75 percent of costs for the first six months, 55 percent for the next six months, and 35 percent for each subsequent month up to 24 additional months; benefits also include housing stipend and $1,000 annual book stipend.
• 60 percent of charges for flight training  and 55 percent for correspondence courses will be covered, based on the national average of established cost at all institutions of higher learning.
• Servicemembers who retired after Sept. 11, 2001 but before the Post-9/11 GI Bill went into effect would be able to transfer current veterans education benefits to their family members (this provision would be paid for by DoD and other federal agencies).
• Housing allowance: distance-learning students and those attending schools overseas will receive 50 percent of the established rate (which would become prorated, based on a veteran’s actual course load).
• Instead of paying up to $2,000 for a one-time test for licensure or certification, an unlimited number of tests will be allowed, with charges being deducted from a veteran’s monthly benefits.




 

During a hearing before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on April 21, Madden urged Congress to cover non-degree education programs with GI Bill benefits, saying that such a disparity “has caused much concern.”

 

At that same hearing, Akaka promised to introduce legislation before Memorial Day to help improve veterans education benefits. He delivered on that promise last week.

Time is running out to apply for Keystone Boys State (or Keystone Girls State) and State Police Youth Week.  Get your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, neighbor, friend or local high school involved with two of the most successful programs for youth in Pennsylvania.

Keystone Boys State

The American Legion’s Boys State program is one of the longest-running and most respected civic education programs for high school students in the country. Each state runs its own program. Pennsylvania’s Keystone Boys State welcomes over 130 participants each year for its program at Shippensburg University, free of cost.

At Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen through a week-long government simulation, which begins on the local level and builds up to the state level. Activities include government elections, legislative sessions, court proceedings, and law enforcement presentations.

Throughout the week, participants also hear from a variety of guest speakers, visit their representatives in Harrisburg at the State Capital, start & run their own business, partake in recreational activities (including sports, chorus and band), and much more. 

Click Here for more information about Keystone Boys State including the application

State Police Youth Week

Cadets participate in a wide variety of instructional sessions with Local, State Police and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies.  You will learn how to work as a team and be taught self-esteem, as you will be the future Leaders of our state and nation.  There will be classes in Pennsylvania Vehicle and Crime Codes, forensic sciences, radar, riot control, tactical drug operation through the use of specially trained dogs, weapon firing, and other police related skills.  Recreational activities will be scheduled as time permits.  This is a six-day camp used to introduce students in all procedures of law enforcement.  Cadets march to their classes in platoon formation and have drill competition.  You should be physically fit and have a good academic record to be able to participate.  This is not a recreational camp.

Click Here for additional information about State Police Youth Week including the application

As the department convention is approaching, I’m preparing several mini-movies to be shown before, during, or even right after the convention sessions.   The mini-movies will be pictures of our Pennsylvania American Legion “Posts-in-Action” set to patriotic music.  And I want to include pictures from your Post, your District, your programs!

 This year’s Pennsylvania American Legion Department Convention will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg from July 15^th to the 18^th.  After the convention, I will post the mini-movies to Department’s website for everyone to view.

 The mini-movies will be made from pictures of the events involving our Pennsylvania Legion Posts.  You can send pictures of your Post meetings, Christmas party, Oratorical contest, summer picnic, Legion baseball, testimonial dinner, the front of your Post building, Memorial Day parade, Veterans Day event, visiting a local school, welcoming home our current military, flag burning ceremony, or any other event held by your American Legion Post supporting your community, children & youth, Americanism and of course our veterans.

The mini-movies will be similar to the movie shown at the January Housing for Homeless Veterans benefit dinner.  If you did not see the movie you can go to Department’s website to view the movie.  

 You can:

 Send me your pictures taken during the 2009 -2010 membership year via email no later than June 15, 2010

 Send as many as 25 pictures to be included as part of the mini-movies – you can send as many emails as necessary to send the 25 pictures

 Write your Post # on the subject line of the email

 Or mail a CD with the 25 pictures on it to Shannon Kyle, 2072 Rockfield Road, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15243 – please include your Post number with the CD

 Do Not send the actual pictures – I need the pictures by email or CD only

 If you don’t have pictures then ask around; you may have a Post Historian, Post Adjutant, Post Commander, or even any other members from your Post can have pictures from this current membership year 2009-2010.

National Convention

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

August 27, - September 2, 2010

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend the 92nd American Legion National Convention.  We have a great opportunity to save money while traveling in style to the convention with the Pennsylvania Department Bus Trip.  This will give you the chance to save a little money and travel to the convention without any worries.

Click Here for more information about the bus trip to the National Convention.

The Pennsylvania delegation will be staying at the Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center.  The hotel reservations must be made through Department Headquarters.  The room rate is $119.18 including tax for a king size bed room and a double room (2 beds).  After 2 people there will be an additional occupant in room rate at $15.00 each.  A rollaway bed can be rented at $10.00 a day.

The room amenities include:  iron, ironing board, tv with HBO, hair dryer and coffee pot.  The hotel amenities include a check in time of 3:00pm.  The convention center is cater-corner from our hotel, which is a short walk of about 200 feet.  There is a nice restaurant in the hotel and about a dozen or more within a couple of blocks of the hotel.  The hotel also has a fitness center and outdoor pool.  Parking is $15.00 a day valet only in and out anytime fro no extra charge.

The Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center is approximately 15 minutes from the airport depending on time of day and day of the week.  Our nationalorganization has arranged airport ground transportation services for the National Convention through Go Airport Connection.  In order for attendees to receive the $21 round trip fare to/from the Milwaukee Airport they must book at least 24 hours in advance through the customized portal.  Here is the link to the portal for The American Legion Family to book from.  http://goairportconnection.hudsonltd.net/res?USERIDENTRY=ameleg&LOGON=GO

The cit rate from the airport to any downtown hotel is $25.00 for a taxi cab regardless of how many persons you can safely get in the vehicle.  Travel time is approximately 15 minutes.  All major car rental companies are available at the airport.

Pennsylvania Delegate Registration is in our Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center Hotel lobby across form the registration desk.

• Friday, August 27 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Saturday, August 28 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Sunday, August 29 - 9:00 am to 12 noon or as required

There is a convenience store right across from our hotel (food, beer, liquor, soda, etc.,)  A Dunkin Donuts, Quizno’s, Subway are all 200 feet from the hotel.  West Town Market Liquors and other items, IMAX Planetarium are 1 block away.  The bus station and Amtrak train station are three blocks from the hotel.  Butch’s Steak House is on the corner across from the rear of the hotel.  The Grand Avenue Mall is 2 1/2 blocks from the hotel.  The Harley Davidson Museum is 1 mile away.  The Potawatomi Casino is 1 mile away and the Irish Pub is 3 blocks from the hotel.

Handicap information for wheelchair and scooter rentals.  The handicapped attendees of our delegation that will require a scooter or wheelchair may contact the following:

• Accessibility Home Medical & Rehab 414-543-1114
• Discount Mobility Products, LLC., 414-321-3500
• On The Go Mobility 414-375-4682, 7289
• MetroCare 800-227-3820

The Pennsylvania caucus breakfast meeting will be held Monday, August 30, 2010 at 7:30 am in the main Ballroom 1st floor of the Doubletree Hotel.  Starbucks coffee & assorted chilled juices, bakery basket, scrambled eggs, bacon & sausage links, country style potatoes, melon slices & berries will be available for each Pennsylvania American Legion delegate in attendance at this meeting.

The parade will be Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 4:00 pm.  We will meet in the hotel lobby at 2:30 pm.  We do not have the parade route yet.  Our hotel is supposedly right on the parade route so we may not need transportation.  We will update this information as things are finalized.

The Pennsylvania Party will be in the Doubletree Hotel in the main Ballroom 1st floor after the Parade party.  Sunday, August 29, 2010 at approximately 6:00 pm final time will be announced.  The party is for all delegates and guests.  The menu will include baked chicken, roast beef, vegetable medley, au gratin potatoes, salad, rolls, dessert, coffee, tea and milk.

The National Commander’s Dinner is Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm at the Milwaukee Convention Center.

All persons receiving a Department call-in or who are going to sign as a delegate at our Department roll calls, MUST register through our Department Headquarters and stay in the contracted housing.  Any exceptions must be cleared with the Department Commander / Adjutant prior to our departure to the convention city.

Looking to seeing you in Milwaukee Wisconsin for the 92nd National Convention!

Click Here for a printer friendly version of the General Information for the National Convention

Thank you for making Legion College a great success.  Download sections of the General Course Power Point presentation. 

Click Here for the Public Relations presentation

Click Here for the Americanism, Legion Baseball, Scouting, Jr. Shooting Sports, Keystone Boys State, State Police Youth Week, Oratorical, Essay, Need a Lift, American Legacy Scholarship, Robert J. Trace Scholarship Fund,  Joseph P. Gavenonis College Scholarship, Robert W. Valimont Endowment Fund Scholarship, American Legion School Award Program Presentation

Click Here for the Community Service and Children & Youth Presentation

Click Here for Blood Donor, National Emergency Fund, Housing for Homeless Veterans, Fisher House, and Member Benefits Presentation

Click Here for the Legiontown Presentation

Click Here for the Value of Membership

Click Here for Building an Effective Post Membership Team