(INDIANAPOLIS – November 13, 2025) – American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley., issued the following statement pertaining to the re-opening of the federal government:
“The American Legion is grateful that members of Congress finally found a solution to the shutdown. While this is great news for veterans, military members and their families, it is only a temporary solution as this Continuing Resolution expires Jan. 30. We are grateful that the new agreement fully funds the Department of Veterans Affairs through 2026. However, that does not go far enough, leaving our military members, federal workers and others in limbo. It’s time for Congress to approve a proper budget for the entire year.
“Additionally, as Congress winds down this session, lawmakers must prioritize legislation such as the Major Richard Star Act, Pay Our Troops Act and other bills that deliver on the promises made to our nation’s veterans and military families.”
(INDIANAPOLIS—Nov. 4, 2025) – American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley issued the following statement today concerning the passing of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney:
“America lost a longtime public servant, and The American Legion lost one of its most distinguished Boys State graduates. Vice President Cheney became a nationally known figure through his steady leadership as our country’s secretary of defense during the Gulf War. By the time he was elected vice president, he brought decades of experience to the George W. Bush administration and was considered by many to have enormous influence, particularly in areas of foreign policy. Nobody questioned his patriotism and love for his country. Our condolences to his family and those who knew him best in his home state of Wyoming.”
While in high school, Cheney played baseball for American Legion Post 2, in Casper, Wyo. During his time as vice president, he addressed national gatherings of The American Legion on several occasions.
“This hall is filled with distinguished Americans,” Cheney said at The American Legion 90th Convention in 2008. “You answered the nation’s call – and when you returned from duty, you kept up the habit of service by joining The American Legion. The Legion serves America by leading on important issues, from health care and education, to employment opportunities for veterans, to homeland security, to a better quality of life for our military families. You proudly wear an emblem that stands ‘for God and Country,’ and the highest rights of man.”
INDIANAPOLIS (October 2025) — The American Legion is urging all members and supporters to take action to ensure that the memory of America’s fallen Chaplains is honored and preserved at Arlington National Cemetery.
Due to unclear legislation, Arlington National Cemetery officials have delayed long-overdue updates to the Chaplains Memorial, which pays tribute to the brave men and women of faith who gave their lives ministering to others in times of war and peace.
A Legislative Fix: Section 1092 of the FY2026 NDAA
The American Legion supports the inclusion of Section 1092 of the House version of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), titled “Updates and Preservation of Memorials to Chaplains at Arlington National Cemetery.”
This section would change the language in previous amendments from “may” to “shall”, ensuring that actions previously authorized to update and preserve the memorial are carried out without further delay.
Honoring 84 Chaplains Still Awaiting Recognition
The proposed updates would add the names of 84 Chaplains who served and sacrificed from the Korean War through Iraq and Afghanistan, whose names have yet to be inscribed on the memorial. For too long, these Chaplains’ courage and devotion have gone unrecognized — Section 1092 would finally correct that oversight.
How You Can Help
The American Legion is asking all members and supporters to contact their two U.S. Senators and House Representative and urge them to support Representative Keating’s amendment and include Section 1092 in the final NDAA bill.
Your voice can help ensure that the legacy of these Chaplains is preserved for generations to come.
National Commander Dan K. Wiley is proud to announce an exciting membership incentive: a chance to win tickets to the 2025 Army-Navy Game!
The Prize Opportunities
Individual Recruitment Award
The Top 3 recruiters nationwide will each receive:
Two (2) tickets to the Army-Navy Game
Saturday, December 13, 2025 – 3:00 PM
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Department Regional Award
In addition, five (5) sets of tickets (two tickets each) will be awarded to the top department in each region based on performance for the November target date.
(Please note: transportation, lodging, and additional expenses are not included.)
Eligibility Criteria – Individual Recruiter Award
Recruit a minimum of three (3) new membersbetween October 1 – November 11, 2025.
Eligible members must be new veterans joining for the 2026 membership yearwho were not members during 2025.
Paid transfers, new Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion members do not count.
New members must be processed and verified in the national database by the deadline.
How to Enter – Individual Recruiter Award
Submit the certification form with your list of new members (including name, ID number, department, and post).
Submission Deadline: November 14, 2025 Winners Announced: Monday, November 17, 2025
Submit Forms To:
The American Legion
Internal Affairs & Membership
PO Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46204
TAMPA, Florida – (Aug. 6) – The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans service organization, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are conducting a special claims clinic for all veterans at no cost at the Tampa Convention Center, located at 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, Florida 33602.
Please review the following information carefully, as logistical information has changed last-minute.
Friday the 22nd through Tuesday the 26th, American Legion service officers will be available to process claims on-site. Veterans should proceed to the Hospitality Office near the South East entrance of the Tampa Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to file their claims. Claims will no longer be processed in the initial West Hall location.
*ONLY* on Monday, Aug. 25th – Tuesday, Aug. 26th, staff from the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office will be on site between 8:30am and 3:00pm conducting examinations related to veteran claims Please see American Legion national staff for directions to the MDEO office.
Veterans attending should bring their ID, pen and paper, and their DD-214, as well as any documents related to their service treatment record.
Veterans do not need to sign up in advance. However, due to expected high attendance, veterans intending to file a new claim or file an increase, are encouraged to contact American Legion veteran service officers Kevin Buckner or Eric Taylor in advance to complete a power of attorney. Buckner can be reached at kbuckner@legion.org or 202-263-5766; Taylor can be reached at etaylor@legion.org or 202-263-5765
About The American Legion
The American Legion is the largest wartime veterans service organization with more than 1.4 million members in roughly 12,000 posts across the nation. Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome community programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security and continued devotion to servicemembers and veterans. Learn more at legion.org.
Points of contact:
Onsite
Brandon McClain, Benefits Policy Analyst, The American Legion or Kevin Buckner
The 2025 American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team was announced during the American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C., on Sunday. The team is sponsored by Diamond Sports, a leading manufacturer in baseball merchandise and the official baseball used during American Legion Baseball national tournaments. As the official sponsor, Diamond Sports provides $25,000 in scholarships to the nine players on the All-Academic Team.
Before a player can be considered for the All-Academic Team, he or she must be nominated by their team manager or head coach. Each department baseball committee reviews submitted applications and selects their overall state winner, who receives a $500 scholarship from The American Legion.
Each regional winner named to the All-Academic Team receives a $2,500 scholarship, while the overall top academic player is named the team captain and receives a $5,000 scholarship.
The 2025 American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team is:
All-Academic Team Captain: Tylar Hanley, Post 868, New Kensington, Pa.
Northeast Region: Luca Finton, Post 188, Sandwich, Mass.
Mid-Atlantic Region: Landon Kettles, Post 273, Poquoson, Va.
Southeast Region: Jacob McClintic, Post 250, Middleburg, Fla.
Mid-South Region: Ezekiel Wall, Post 15, Crowley, La.
Great Lakes Region: Benjamin Sullivan, Post 502, Valparaiso, Ind.
Central Plains Region: Tyler Olson, Post 55, Pender, Neb.
Northwest Region: Landon McAnelly, Post 6, Cheyenne, Wyo.
Western Region: McCoy Rippentrop, Post 22, Rapid City, S.D.
(INDIANAPOLIS – August 7, 2025) – American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere, Jr., issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s shooting at Fort Stewart, Ga:
“There are heroes among us. I refer to the brave soldiers who subdued and restrained a gunman that shot five of their fellow servicemembers who were injured in a violent and heinous attack on Aug. 6. Thankfully, all the wounded servicemembers have reportedly been treated and are expected to survive. We pray for their full recovery. Without the heroism and quick thinking of soldiers on the scene, the outcome could have been far more tragic. We are pleased that the Army secretary has already presented medals to those who stopped the attack.”
Mariner High School Air Rifle teammates Zoe Enslin and Jakobe Changasie competed in the 2025 American Legion Junior 3-Position Air Rifle National Championship in Hillsdale, Mich. Photo by Chet Strange
Post 90 in Cape Coral and the Mariner High School JROTC marksmanship team formed a partnership that’s resulted in time, talent and treasure.
American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral, Fla., and the nearby Mariner High School JROTC marksmanship team formed a relationship three years ago that has resulted in the post supporting three Ts – time, talent and treasure – to the young marksmen, as well as a post-sponsored air rifle tournament for five high schools.
“It’s really formed this incredible partnership,” said retired Army Maj. Bryan Williams, senior army instructor and department head for the Mariner High School JROTC Leadership Academy. “We very quickly got integrated with the Legion that got both the (post) tournament and our program off the ground.”
Post 90 Legion Family supports the Mariner High School JROTC cadets by attending practices and tournaments, providing mentorship and coaching skills, presenting colors at air rifle matches, funding travel to tournaments not covered by the high school, or purchasing equipment like rifles, stands, kneeling rolls and special ribbons “that help incentivize the kids and helps us with retention of our athletes,” Williams said. And it’s not just the Mariner High School JROTC marksmanship team that Post 90 sponsors – there are four other area high schools.
“They sponsor all of the teams equally, which is really cool,” said Williams, a member of Post 90, who has sought out talent from the post to help with the team.
“There’s a lot of talent that exist from veterans of the military because almost all veterans have done some type of marksman shooting. We found a couple of guys (from Post 90) that were snipers and had a lot of extensive shooting, and we found a gentleman that used to be part of the Army Marksmanship Unit. They gave us a little bit of mentorship to get us going, some coaching ideas, some training drills and tips to get us moving.
“Coaching youth wasn’t really our issue,” said Williams, whose wife and Army veteran Marybeth also coaches the Mariner High School JROTC marksmanship team. “It was, ‘What are some creative ways to teach shooting sports?’ We got some of that experience from the Legion and those same veterans would come over to meet with the kids, build some confidence in the kids with sports psychology, mental prep, things like that.”
King of the Cape. The air rifle tournament that Post 90 sponsors is called King of the Cape. During the five-week tournament, each of the five schools that the post supports host the other schools for a three-position, shoulder-to-shoulder, match. A traveling trophy with the winning team’s name engraved is brought to each competition and stays with the winning team until the following year.
“It’s presented on a table for everyone to look at and admire,” Williams said. “And it gives them something to sought after that they’re trying to achieve for the year.”
Points are earned each week for the teams that are then accumulated at the end. The top team is the King of the Cape.
Prior to the King of the Cape, Post 90 hosts a coach’s dinner that gives everyone a chance to talk about the tournament schedule and needs the high school teams might have, as well as the needs of the post. The cadets help post members with veteran-related events, like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, by providing color guard support, helping with parking, etc.
“It gives our kids a chance to come and give back so that it’s not a one-way street,” Williams said. “The kids, they love it. They go out and volunteer, put on their cadet uniforms. They’re helping veterans which they love to do. It truly is a partnership.”
Mariner High School JROTC cadet Zoe Enslin enjoys the volunteer opportunity with Post 90.
“I love giving to people. I really love going out and just being hands on with things and taking charge, and that’s what The American Legion gives us a chance to do,” she said.
Shooting Sports and Beyond. The partnership between Mariner High School JROTC and Post 90 has also enabled Williams to learn about the other American Legion youth programs. “It’s gone way beyond just shooting sports,” Williams said. He has sent several cadets to Florida Boys State and Girls State over the past five years. “It’s a game changer for their leadership and self-confidence.”
Williams has also entered cadets in The American Legion’s Junior Shooting Sports postal match for the past three years that has resulted in several attending the Legion’s Junior 3-Position Air Rifle National Championship held in July.
Enslin and Jakobe Changasie, both rising seniors at Mariner High School, competed in the Legion’s Junior 3-Position Air Rifle National Championship in Hillsdale, Mich., last weekend for sporter class. Enslin and Changasie never picked up an air rifle prior to their high school freshman year when they made the team.
“The sport has helped me so much by just getting out of my comfort zone and knowing how to handle my anxiety and stuff,” Enslin said. “Because if you’re going to shoot and your heartbeat is going really fast, you’re not going to have a good outcome. So it’s really helped me to learn how to calm myself down and just help with my stress and my anxiety a lot.”
Enslin and Changasie appreciate the support from Post 90 both on and off the range.
“It’s great to see that there’s still people out there in the world who want to see the youth develop and that’s great for us to see as the youth because it means that still people care and want to see us reach higher goals than we’ve already achieved,” Changasie said.
Enslin agreed.
“It definitely gives us a sense of people are still believing in us,” she said. “And that’s a really big, motivation thing and a confidence booster for sure.”
Get Involved. Williams encourages other American Legion posts wanting to support the shooting sports program to connect with a high school JROTC, 4-H or local club team for sponsorship.
“There’s expertise and resources in the Legion and in those local clubs to work together and enhance one another to grow,” he said. “Time, treasure and talent are the three Ts that anybody can offer. And often with resources in the Legion, there’s guaranteed to be some expertise in shooting that might help a coach that doesn’t have the experience or the know-how to train in the sport of shooting, or the skill of shooting. That expertise is really what it helps get a team off the ground.”
Williams believes Post 90’s why for supporting the Junior Shooting Sports Program is “self-evident – they’re all about investing in the youth who are our future,” he said. “And that may sound cliche, but it really is the mission of the Legion. And because with JROTC our mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens, the mission statements marry up really well. So that’s their motive is just to be that extra part of these kids’ village as they build up and get ready to be our future.”
HILLSDALE. Mich. (May 18, 2025) – A high school senior from Gatlinburg, Tenn., capped a busy weekend of competition by earning a $25,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” Gina Raj Harjani’s winning prepared oration was titled “The Constitution in the Digital Age.”
Harjani started the weekend as one of 50 state or department champions in the 86th annual contest. She advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. She was sponsored by American Legion Post 202 in Gatlinburg.
Mary Payton Crosby, a home-schooled junior from Burlington, Wash., earned a $22,500 college scholarship with a second-place finish, while Elena May Andrews, a 12th grader from Beresford, S.D., earned $20,000 and third place in the competition. The scholarships account for a small portion of post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.
In her prepared oration, Harjani said that while social media postings are protected by the Constitution, “opaque algorithms” decide which voices get heard.
“The founders may not have foreseen the Internet, but they understood a universal truth: threats to liberty remain constant, even as their forms evolve,” she said. “Our U.S. Constitution is not an artifact of history. It is a living, breathing document that guides us through current challenges.”
In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned 3- to 5-minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges. The 1.5-million-member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution. The American Legion awarded more than $8 million in youth scholarships at the post, state and national levels in 2024.
INDIANAPOLIS (January 9, 2025) – The American Legion has announced its call for entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 15, 2025.
The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in Tampa. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 28, 2025 at the Tampa Convention Center.
Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2024.
All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.
Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.
INDIANAPOLIS (January 9, 2025) – The American Legion has announced its call for entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 15, 2025.
The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in Tampa. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 28, 2025 at the Tampa Convention Center.
Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2024.
All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.
Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, WFTS (Tampa) and the Military Times. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.
(INDIANAPOLIS – January 30, 2025) – American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere, Jr., issued the following statement today concerning last night’s collision of a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter and a passenger plane attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport:
“We don’t know the ‘why’ but the ‘what’ is a heartbreaking tragedy. The American Legion extends its deepest condolences to the families of the souls lost in last night’s horrific crash. We salute the first responders who always rise to such unenviable and difficult challenges. Like nearly all Americans, we call for a full investigation of what occurred.”
(INDIANAPOLIS – December 29, 2024) – American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere, Jr., issued the following statement today concerning the passing of former President Jimmy Carter:
“President Carter was a Legionnaire, a distinguished Navy veteran and a devout Christian. His commitment to human rights and community service was respected worldwide. He lived longer than any president in American history and made the most of his post-presidential years by strongly advocating for world peace and improving the lives of the disadvantaged. His energy, integrity and humility were admired by people across the political spectrum. President Carter’s wife, Rosalynn, was a leader in mental health awareness. They will both be missed. Our condolences to the entire Carter family and the many lives that they have touched, especially in their home state of Georgia.”
During an address to The American Legion’s 1980 national convention, President Carter described his vision for America on the world stage. “We do not maintain our power in order to seize power from others. Our goal is to strengthen our own freedom and the freedom of others, to advance the dignity of the individual and the right of all people to justice, to a good life, and to a future secure from tyranny. In choosing our course in the world, America’s strength serves American values,” he said.
(INDIANAPOLIS – December 21, 2024) – American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere, Jr. issued the following statement today concerning passage of a continuing resolution to fund the federal government into March:
“The American Legion is glad that sanity has prevailed in Congress and our troops no longer must worry about their pay being delayed, veterans can be confident that their benefits will not be cut, and the American people can receive the government services that their taxes fund. It never should have come to this point. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to fund our government. It should not come down to the final hours. This does not send an image of responsible governance to our adversaries. During the last prolonged shutdown, members of the Coast Guard had their pay delayed. This was a disgrace, and Congress needs to pass legislation ensuring that this never happens again. Continuing resolutions, though better than a shutdown, do not solve the bigger problems of uncertainty and paralysis. Congress needs to put the American people above partisan politics and pass a budget!”
An aisle of 100 American Flags maintained and set up by American Legion Post 303 at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs , Fla, on Monday, November 11. Photo by Hilary Ott / The American Legion
An aspect of patriotic holiday ceremonies in Bonita Springs, Fla., is an aisle of 100 flags which the Legion Family from John F. Murphy Post 303 maintains and sets up for the events at Riverside Park each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Each flag is stenciled with the name of a deceased veteran in tribute to those who paid the ultimate price for America’s freedom.
For this Veterans Day, the flags — replacements for those destroyed when Post 303 was deluged with floodwaters from Hurricane Ian in 2022 — served not only as tribute to those veterans but a representation of the post’s and city’s rebuild from the devastating storm.
Post 303 Commander Adam Prentki acknowledged it was “very difficult” when he first saw the case where the flags were stored at the post following Ian.
“It was important (to replace the flags) because it was something we always did,” Prentki said, noting the Aisle of Flags first returned at the Memorial Day event at Riverside Park even as renovations were continuing on the post home. “I think it was important for everyone to see, OK, maybe the Legion’s not there, they’re still working on their building, but they’re still in the community.”
“My partner was one of these flags, along with my brother-in-law, and both those flags were destroyed. That totally destroyed me,” said Jan Farrington, the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Florida membership chairman and a member of Unit 303. “There are many flags flying that I personally know their families, I personally know a lot of the history, and it just destroyed us to know that when we pulled those flags out after Hurricane Ian, and to just watch them disintegrate in front of us, it was just heartbreaking. So to be able to resurrect this … it’s another form of our rebuilding. Our phoenix is rising out of the ashes.”
Farrington is also the Auxiliary representative on Bonita Springs’ veterans advisory committee and talked about the Aisle of Flags during the city’s Veterans Day ceremony. She noted many of the flags had served as burial flags on the caskets of fellow veterans.
“We need to remember and honor (all veterans),” Farrington said.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen (ret.) Steve Blum, the guest speaker at the Veterans Day morning event at Riverside Park, echoed that sentiment. “A nation that does not remember and revere and thank and appreciate its veterans will not long remain a nation,” Blum said.
Veterans and their families — among them 98-year-old World War II veteran Daniel Rossi — gathered in the park for the Veterans Day event, which included Bonita Springs city councilman and Army veteran Nigel Fullick recognizing Rossi and reading a proclamation from Mayor Rick Steinmeyer commemorating the holiday.
Following the morning’s event at Riverside Park, Post 303 hosted a grand reopening ceremony which drew Legion Family and leadership from across the state.
“It’s all about the brotherhood and sisterhood for me,” said Department of Florida Commander Chris Hamrick.
“We had a lot of people donate (to the rebuild),” Prentki said. “We are blessed with a lot of snowbirds in this area. We had a lot of those individuals donate. I wanted them to be a part of it. It was very moving for me to see the support we got, not just from the people that are here every day but from our snowbird community. And when we tried to decide on a date, we looked at what would be available. It was brought up on doing it today, on Veterans Day. That’s what we settled on.
“It’s late enough in the year that a lot of our northern guests are down and could attend; some of them came down specifically for this,” Prentki added.
“It’s been a day we’ve been waiting for, for two years… it’s here, we are open,” Farrington said. “It’s more than just a building. It’s a place we go for our veterans. It’s a safe haven. It’s a community spot where veterans can come, share their stories. We can work our wonderful programs with the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion can do their programs, we can just enhance our veterans through community service, and children and youth, and Americanism at its best and at its root.”
(INDIANAPOLIS – November 6, 2024) – American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere, Jr., issued the following statement today concerning yesterday’s election results:
“The American people have spoken, and The American Legion congratulates President-elect Trump on his victory. We hope to continue some of the progress that veterans have made during President Trump’s first administration, which included the signing of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 on the stage of our 99th National Convention, as well as the VA MISSION Act of 2018. The American Legion is eager to work with the incoming administration to strengthen military readiness, secure our borders, end forever wars and improve VA healthcare. We also welcome the opportunity to work with the incoming Congress and continue to support the current commander-in-chief for the remainder of his administration. We call on Congress and President Biden to pass a budget expeditiously so we can end the practice of governing through congressional resolution. It is time for Americans to unify behind the current and incoming leaders that we have elected. We should also remember that it is America’s veterans, past and present, who have made it possible for us to hold free elections in the greatest nation on earth. ”
(INDIANAPOLIS – October 10, 2024) – American Legion National James A. LaCoursiere pledged his organization’s support for victims impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as he addressed senior volunteers during two days of meetings in Indianapolis.
“Keep in mind that we are truly an American Legion Family, and we are there for you – hearts, minds, prayers and physically, we are there for you,” LaCoursiere said to The American Legion National Executive Committee, the organization’s board of directors. “The Legion will continue to do what they have always done during emergencies like these. They will put service before self. They will gather supplies, collect donations and give to the areas that are hurting.”
He called for American Legion Family members to conduct buddy checks, an outreach effort in which veterans and friends personally check on the wellbeing of others who have served in the military. LaCoursiere added that The American Legion stands ready to assist Legionnaires, posts, and Sons of The American Legion members, withNational Emergency Fund grants. Since its inception in 1989, the NEF has awarded more than $10 million to veterans and military members impacted by declared natural disasters. The American Legion also offers Temporary Financial Assistance grants, which help Legion members and active duty servicemembers with minor child(ren) in the home. More information about American Legion programs and assistance can be found at www.legion.org.
Ron Zaleski left Key West, Fla., on Sept. 11 for a 2,700-mile mission: to walk across the country in support of ending veteran suicide and advocating for life-saving programs. Zaleski, a Marine veteran and member of American Legion Post 159 in Venice, Fla., is walking to San Diego, Calif., and making stops to Legion posts, churches and other veteran supportive organizations along the way to share his mission.
“It’s going to take all of us to fix this,” said Zaleski, who will walk for 10 months while wearing a sign that displays a list of different names daily of veterans lost to suicide, “so their lives may never be forgotten, and we honor their legacy by believing in a brighter future for the brave veterans of the United States.”
This is not Zaleski’s first walk in support of veteran suicide awareness. In 2010 he walked barefoot to Washington, D.C. During the walk he met a mother of a veteran who died by suicide. “The hardest thing that I’ve done on my walk is to hold the mother who lost a child, and she held me like I’m her son, and say, ‘It’s my fault.’ There are no words to that,” he said. “There is no loss that I know of that’s greater than that.”
That experience led Zaleski to form the nonprofit The Long Walk Home where he has helped veterans with suicide intervention, relationship healing, and the skills needed to live meaningful lives.
“I know our program causes a transformative shift in the trajectory of their lives,” he said. “I have seen first-hand by supporting these veterans and their families we have been able to turn their anger into mindfulness, heal damaged relationships for themselves and their loved ones, and create a new mission. We were warriors (in the military). But now is the time to be leaders in our community and in our family. Our program helps them shift that perception.”
The Long Walk Home has two programs – ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) by LivingWorks that’s a two-day program teaching family members suicidal signs to look for and how to intervene, and a 10 Challenge course for veterans that’s a list of guided questions.
Zaleski said the first set of challenge questions are: What are you grateful for when you wake up? What are you grateful you accomplished at the end of the day? And how do you show gratitude?
“Part of these challenge questions is to go out and have a conversation with your loved ones or a stranger,” Zaleski said. “I had an 80-year-old take this who thought he had no problems. His wife made me a batch of cookies and thanked me for the transformation of her husband.”
Zaleski is taking the 10 Challenge course to incarcerated veterans as well. After his visit with about 15 veterans, he learned that they took the knowledge learned and administered the program to the entire prison.
“I would rather prevent suicide than wait till you’re on the ledge where you’ve got nothing left to lose.” he said.
As Zaleski walks 12 hours a day over the next 10 months, he will share the resources available through The Long Walk Home and the Legion’s Be the One suicide prevention mission to save a life through available resources and training.
“I want to direct veterans the best way I can to get the help they need. My hope is by creating a movement rather than just my own passion and advocacy, together we can help eradicate veteran suicide.”
Since they were unable to attend the 2024 American Legion National Convention in New Orleans, American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer had a message for the two presidential candidates: Don’t forget about veterans.
(INDIANAPOLIS –July 14, 2024) – American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer issued the following statement concerning the assassination attempt on former President Trump:
“The American Legion is deeply saddened about the attack on former President Trump and the shooting of innocent spectators. There is absolutely no justification for violence against any political leader. We are confident that an investigation will reveal any security deficiencies that have occurred but are also grateful for the quick reaction by the brave secret service agents who shielded the president to safety and neutralized the shooter. Our prayers are with President Trump and we wish him a full recovery. We also extend our condolences and prayers to the victims and families of all who have been impacted by this heinous act.”
Seehafer also added his expressed desire that Americans would unify in condemning the violence and tone down hateful rhetoric. “In addition to the shooting at the Trump rally, we have seen horrific attacks on Paul Pelosi, Rep. Steve Scalise and former Rep. Gabby Giffords. We should remind one another that political disagreements do not make us enemies. I pray that civility will become the norm in our discourse.”
