The American Legion Race Team will be honoring all veterans on Armed Forces Day weekend (May 14-16, 2010) at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. The No. 76 American Legion/David Law Firm “Freedom Car” will be on display all weekend in the FanZone area at the Monster Mile. This event is a wonderful and unique opportunity for members of the Legion “family” to join the American Legion race team, in paying tribute to our veterans, and to show support for our present day troops.
SPECIAL OFFER: By purchasing tickets to the May 16, 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this Armed Forces Day weekend, $10 per ticket will be donated back to participating posts and a donation will be made to “Operation Freedom Car.”
This program sends a popular and much needed “4-in-1” hygiene product (shampoo, conditioner, body wash and shave-gel all in one bottle) to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, please contact Jeff Bedekovich with Dover International Speedway at 302-883-6557or jbedekovich@dovermotorsports.com The American Legion Race Team thanks you in advance for your ticket order and support. Be sure to stop by and visit YOUR No. 76 “Freedom Car” in the FanZone! See you at the races! Track information: DoverSpeedway.com American Legion Race Team website: LegionRacing.org
Click here for a copy of the information for the American Legion Race Team
A great American, John Wayne, passed away many years ago. One of his last public appearances was at a dinner. He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death. The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp. At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual, he said, the twelve points of the Scout Law are “nice words”. “Trouble is.” he continued. “we learn them so young we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it.”
Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner, much like he would have for his grandson.
Trustworthy
The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look any man in the eye. Lacking it, he won’t look back. Keep this one at the top of your list.
Loyal
The very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country.
Helpful
Part sharing, part caring. By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind. Be always full of help - the dying man’s last words.
Friendly
Brotherhood is part of that word. You can take it in a lot of directions - and do - but make sure and start with brotherhood.
Courteous
Allow each person his human dignity, which means a lot more than saying, “yes ma’am” and “thank you sir”. It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more … earlier in life. Save yourself that problem. Do it now.
Kind
This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But it’s like your bicycle, it’s just no good unless you get out and use it.
Obedient
Starts at home. Practice it in your family. Enlarge it in your friends. Share it with humanity.
Cheerful
Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good. The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems. It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.
Thrifty
Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and it is the opposite of cheap. Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.
Brave
You don’t have to fight to be brave. Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day’s work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds.
Clean
Soap and water helps a lot on the outside. But it is the inside that counts and don’t ever forget it.
Reverent
Believe in anything that you want to believe in, but keep God at the top of it. With Him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without Him, you are just biding time.
submitted by Colleen Washinger
You’re invited to come out and see the Pennsylvania State Oratorical Scholarship Program finals. The final stage of the program will be held at the beautiful Forum Building in downtown Harrisburg on March 6, 2010. Admissions free for all those who want to come and watch the best of the best in Pennsylvania.
The contestants prepare an 8 - 10 minute, memorized oration on some phase of the United States Constitution. They then give a 3 - 5 minute extemporary orationon one of the four “assigned topics” assigned by National Headquarters. The contestants don’t use any notes or prompts when giving their oration.
The first place winner wins a $7,500 scholarship, plaque and expense paid trip to the Pennsylvania American Legion State Convention to present his/her winning oration, plus the opportunity to represent Pennsylvania in the National and Regional Contests and receive an additional $1,500 scholarship from the National Organization. The Second Place Winner receives $5,000 scholarship and plaque. The third place winner receives $4,000 scholarship and plaque.
View the video below. This is Spencer Harjung, the 2008 winner of the American Legion National Oratorical Contest held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors is up for a $250,000 grant from Pepsi. Please take a couple of minutes to vote and then let your family, friends and co-workers know to vote too!
Click Here to vote for Operation Comfort Warriors
Goals
- Provide items for the troops not normally covered by the government.
Overview
Operation Comfort Warriors is a campaign by The American Legion to provide comfort items such as DVDs, calling cards, portable electronics, clothes, puzzles and other gifts to U.S. military troops recovering in hospitals and warrior transition units.More than 35,000 men and women in the U.S. military have been injured as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Comfort Warriors is not political in any way. Its intent is to support the military troops, regardless of whether one supports the wars or not.The comfort items will not make our wounded warriors “whole again” but it does show that we care and appreciate their sacrifice. So far, The American Legion has successfully delivered more than $200,000 in comfort items to recovering troops at facilities across the United States. All administrative and marketing costs are paid for by The American Legion’s national budget, so every cent of donated money goes directly to helping the troops.
Idea linksHow will the 250K be Used? |
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| This grant will not cover any marketing or administrative costs. Those expenses will be paid for by The American Legion. Comfort items will be intended to improve the morale of the troops and will not include items normally paid for by the government or provided by the military health care system. | |
| $ 250000 | Comfort Items |
Lord we come to you on bended knee, heads bowed overflowing with grief for the many people who have been injured and the loss of love ones in Haiti.
Those who are waiting to hear from their love ones, Father we ask for your comfort and compassion during their time of need and pray for their safety.
We ask you Lord, to give courage and strength to those who go to their aid and through their hearts will be heavy and filled with sorrow we ask Lord that you give them endurance needed to help them through their difficult task.
Please give the people of Haiti the strength Lord to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces their Nation.
And lastly Lord we ask that you touch our hearts as a nation to provide the needed help both in material supplies and prayers so that we might help those in there hour of need. Amen.
God Bless
For God and Country
Having a compassionate Heart
John L Beaver
National Chaplain American Legion
chaplainjohnbeaver@comcast.net
The American Legion is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to redouble its efforts to reduce the staggering backlog of disability claims filed by veterans. According to the Legion, more than 400,000 new claims are now pending, with an additional 200,000 denials being appealed.
“The VA disability claims backlog is a problem that won’t go away anytime soon, but VA can reduce it by emphasizing quality over quantity in the way it processes those claims,” said Peter Gaytan, executive director of The American Legion’s headquarters in Washington. “One of the most effective ways we can help veterans and their families is to make sure these claims are processed carefully and thoroughly - and that the correct decision is made the first time.”
The American Legion is also urging Congress to work closely with VA in its efforts to reduce the claims backlog. The Legion’s Legislative Division director, Steve Robertson, meet with federal legislators Thursday to recommend that Congress uses its oversight authority to measure progress being made by VA, and to consider Legion recommendations on how to improve the situation.
Many veterans submit appeals on VA denials of disability claims, and The American Legion’s Appeals and Special Claims Unit in Washington handles more than 600 of them every month.
Barry Searle, director of the Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, said the appeal process can get complicated, and most veterans whose claims are denied by VA never make the attempt to file an appeal.
“About 85 to 90 percent of veterans who are denied either accept the decision - which is often a mistake - or don’t really know how to go about changing it,” Searle said. “That’s where organizations like The American Legion are critical. Our service officers help veterans get in touch with Legion appeals representatives and assign power of attorney to them. Then we prepare and file a brief at the Board of Veterans Appeals, explaining why VA made a mistake in denying disability benefits to a particular veteran.”
VA can take from six months to more than a year in deciding a claim, according to Steve Smithson, principal disability claims expert for The American Legion. “And if a denied claim is disputed, it can take several years to be resolved.”
Smithson said many claims are rejected because veterans haven’t documented their cases well enough, and VA doesn’t take the time to investigate properly. “So they deny the case. And VA employees get a work credit for each claim they make a decision on, whether it’s the right one or not,” he said. That kind of work incentive program can compromise quality, because getting the proper information and making a proper decision often takes a lot more time. If you start taking shortcuts, then mistakes are made and claims are erroneously denied.”
In recent years, Gaytan said, The American Legion has had a 60-percent success rate for the thousands of Board of Veterans Appeals cases it has handled: VA has either awarded the benefits or sent cases back to its regional offices for further review.
“If any veterans need help in filing their VA claims - or appealing the denial of their benefits - they should contact The American Legion and we’ll help them through the process, free of charge,” Gaytan said.
The American Legion has recently added a benefits calculator for veterans to its Web site.
Article from the National American Legion
Pennsylvania American Legion Keystone Boys State is a unique week long summertime educational program that does not emphasize classroom lectures and textbook learning. Instead, it focuses on participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with governing bodies and elected public officials. It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of its respective state government.
The American Legion believes there is no better way to assure the survival of our republic than to train our young people in the ideals and objectives of American Government. Boys State is designed to supplement the information taught in high school civics classes. It is an activity born out of a need for youth raining in practical citizenship, leadership and to instill a working knowledge of the structure and operation of government.
Keystone Boys State has the following objectives:
- to develop leadership and pride in American citizenship
- to arouse a keen interest in the detailed study of government
- to develop in the young citizens of boys State a full understanding of our American traditions and belief in the United States of America
- to arouse in the young citizens a determination to maintain our form of government, and from the Preamble to The American Legion’s constitution
- “to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation, and to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.”
Eligibility Criteria
- Only males who have successfully completed their junior year of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining are to be considered.
- Any boy who has previously attended a boys State is not eligible to attend a second session.
- Only boys with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, and service to their schools are to be considered.
In the actual selection process, merit and ability are the two most important factors considered. No boys are permitted to attend because of either poverty or wealth. It is not a program for underprivileged boys nor is it a summer camp for recreation. Fees, or “tuition,” are paid by American Legion Posts, with little or no expense to a young man and his family.
Those applying for the Samsung Scholarship will need a copy of the military discharge (DD-214). If one is not easily available you can request a copy.
Click Here to go to Keystone Boys State website
Click Here to download the Keystone Boys State Application
Click Here to download the Keystone Boys State Brochure
Click Here to download the Samsung Scholarship Application
Click Here to find out more about requesting a copy of the DD-214
Click Here to go to National’s boys and girls state website
To participate or to find out additional information on Keystone Boys State contact Sharon Delancy at Department Headquarters at 717-730-9100
State Police Youth Week is sponsored by The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania and The Pennsylvania State Police.
Program overview:
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.
Eligibility:
Cadets, male or female, must have completed either their sophomore (10th), junior (11th) or senior (12th) grade prior to June 20th of this year. The Post or District Commander, or his/her representative will interview each cadet nominated to select candidates, and their alternates. Cadets must be in good health, with no physical defects, and have an average or above standing in their class and of course express a personal interest in either law enforcement or military service.
Cost:
Fee of $125 includes meals, water bottle, ball cap and (3) t-shirts. This is paid by the sponsoring American Legion Post/Unit or other civic group.
This fee is non-refundable
Transportation:
This is the responsibility of the sponsoring group or the parent(s) of the student.
Click Here for the State Police Youth Week Brochure
Click Here for the State Police Youth Week Application
To participate or to find out additional information about State Police Youth Week contact Department Headquarters at 717-730-9100
We will be honoring the youth of Allegheny County by presenting awards and showing recognitions for their outstanding work through the American Legion programs. This dinner pays tribute to the young people throughout Allegheny County, who achieved excellence in their schools, community, Boy or Girl Scouts, Junior ROTC, ect. The youth will be given a medal, including a certificate, and an opportunity to speak before those assembled to describe their achievement.
As you may be well aware, they are our future leaders and we appreciate, as Legion and Auxiliary members, the chance to showcase these deserving young men and women of Allegheny County and other local communities. Please consider supporting this noble event by placing an ad in the Youth Achievement Dinner Program Book.
Click Here for more information about the Allegheny County Youth Achievement Dinner
2009 was a big year for the Philadelphia and Coraopolis transitional homes that are owned and operated by Housing for Homeless Veterans.
The Philadelphia home was up for a HGTV Change the World America’s Heroes contest. Our Philadelphia home went up against seven other veteran homeless shelters across the United States and we won. Monica Pedersen and Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV created the home makeover. HGTV aired the makeover on Veterans Day.
HGTV renovates the Philadelphia transitional home
The Coraopolis home also received a makeover in 2009. Congressman Tim Murphy worked with Wyatt Incorporated to volunteer man hours and all the equipment necessary to renovate 4 kitchens.
And lastly, On September 26, 2009 Jordan Hrinya accomplished her Gold Award for the Girl Scouts of America by working in one of the living rooms at the Coraopolis home.
Wyatt Incorporated works at the Coraopolis transitional home
Front row (l to r): John C. Tomosky, Commander, 1st District, American Legion Dept. of Pennsylvania; Joe Gunkle, American Legion Commander, Bridesburg Post 821; Stanley Fabiszewski, American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans Corp.; Michael Nutter, mayor of Philadelphia; Terry Lewis, American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans Corp. Back row (l to r): Carter Oosterhouse; Pennsylvania State Representative Tony Payton; John Stevens, Head Coach of Philadelphia Flyers