By John Raughter Mar 12, 2020
After touching on a series of historical accomplishments that defined the first century of American Legion legislative successes, National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford presented a three-step mission to lawmakers during a joint session of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs March 11. Watch here.
“Implementation. Oversight. Improvement. That triad is the prevailing theme in The American Legion’s legislative priority list for the second session of the 116th Congress,” Oxford said in a packed hearing room.
The theme is the logical follow-up to landmark legislation passed in recent years such as the VA MISSION Act, the Blue Water Navy Act and the Harry W. Colmery “Forever” GI Bill.
“Between Vietnam and 9/11, The American Legion and Congress worked together to reinvent the VA – one that is now described as quote, ‘the best care anywhere,’” Oxford said. “Today, so many of these issues, and new ones for a new generation, continue to occupy The American Legion’s priority list.”
That list went largely unchallenged to receptive members of Congress that attended the hearing.
“Reading today’s testimony, it is clear that we share many of the same priorities,” Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said. “We must address the national crisis of veteran suicide. Veterans must receive high-quality healthcare. We must understand the full impacts of toxic exposures, and make sure that another generation of veterans don’t have to wait for the benefits and care they need and deserve.
“In addition,” Takano continued, “as our veteran population grows increasingly more diverse, we must support our women, LGBTQ, minority, and Native-American veterans. The legislation we pass must improve access to culturally competent care for all veterans.”
Though The American Legion recognizes that VA care isn’t always the best option for veterans living in remote areas, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., emphasized the point while trying to assuage Legion concerns about privatizing the system.
“In my view the MISSION Act is nothing to replace the VA (but is) providing care and services for those who in their best interest need another venue,” said Moran, the chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Moran mentioned that many Kansans would have to travel great distances in order to obtain care from a VA facility.
Another major concern for The American Legion is the high suicide rate among veterans. Most of the veterans who have taken their lives were not receiving care in the VA system. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced that the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which was supported by The American Legion, passed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee 17-0 by unanimous consent.
“We got everyone from Blackburn to Bernie to vote for that bad boy, so now all we got to do is get Sen. (Mitch) McConnell to take it up on the floor,” Tester said, informally referring to Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who refers to himself as a “democratic socialist.”
It was likely the last opportunity House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., will hear an American Legion national commander present congressional testimony. The physician and longtime Legionnaire will retire from Congress at the end of the year.
Roe reflected nostalgically on recent and historic Legion accomplishments. “It would be impossible for me to detail all the work that The American Legion has performed throughout your more than a century of service or the value that the Legion continues to bear on matters of military, veterans and national security policy,” Roe said. “Even now it is with the help of the Legion and working with our committees and partners in the Trump administration that the Department of Veterans Affairs has undergone such a positive transformation over the last few years. Thanks to our mutual efforts, I’m proud to report that veterans today have great access to care (and) greater control of their care than ever before. Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits whenever they choose. Veteran unemployment reached near lows.”
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve in our local communities and across the country, the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is taking additional steps to limited the spread of this virus or other respiratory illnesses.
All Veterans who have symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath) should call the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 for triage and instruction prior to coming to the medical center or clinics. The safest place for you, unless you may require hospitalization, is home.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are implementing enhanced screening protocols at all of our facilities. This includes the primary medical center and all outpatient clinics. We understand this may be an inconvenience to some, but it is important that we quickly identify individuals who have these symptoms and direct them to a location for further triage and treatment.
Please plan to arrive at the facility at least 20 minutes in advance of your appointment to allow additional time for the screening process.
We thank you for your patience and understanding.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) has announced additional steps to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the state of Florida.
• Effective March 11, 2020, FDVA is restricting visitor access to its State Veterans’ Nursing Homes and Domiciliary until further notice, with the exception of essential visitors, such as family members of those residents undergoing end-of-life care.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has also temporarily restricted access to their nursing and community living center facilities to only essential visitors until further notice.
• All VA Medical Centers in Florida are implementing enhanced screening protocols at their facilities. VA Outpatient Clinics are also implementing enhanced screening protocols. Please plan to arrive at the facility well in advance of your appointment to allow additional time for the screening process.
• Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are encouraged to contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 (toll free). Clinical staff provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage. The service is available at no cost to veterans enrolled for care in the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8).
• All FDVA and VA facilities remain fully operational.
Congratulations to Thomas Reisinger, Sarasota Military Academy, received the highest score in the Sporter discipline and is our State Champion in The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports National Postal Tournament.
Reisinger is affiliated with Post 266. We congratulate him on this achievement!
(INDIANAPOLIS, February 20, 2020) — Citing The American Legion’s “historic victory” during an important Supreme Court ruling last year, the head of the nation’s largest veterans organization welcomed another court decision yesterday as a sign that veterans memorials will now have permanent legal protection.
“Last year, The American Legion easily prevailed by a 7-2 ruling protecting a veterans memorial in Bladensburg, Md.,” said American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford. “We said at the time that the ruling in The American Legion v. American Humanist Association was not simply about one cross. It was about protecting the religious freedom of those wishing to honor and memorialize veterans. Thankfully, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals used our earlier victory to reverse a previous decision that called for the removal of a World War II-era cross at a park in Pensacola. The Bayview cross in Florida will remain in place. The American Legion is grateful to our friends and allies in the veterans and legal community who have helped us in this long struggle to protect these precious memorials.”
We regret to inform you that Dennis Thompson passed away February 15th, 2020 in hospice. Dennis obtained his membership in The American Legion as a US Army Combat Engineer serving a year in Vietnam.
He served several years as American Legion Lakeshore Post 137 Service Officer, Post Adjutant for three years and was selected as Department of Florida Adjutant of the Year 2013. He was elected Post Commander 2006-2008 that included Lakeshore Post 137 being selected The Most Outstanding Post in the Department of Florida in 2008. At FL. 5th District Dennis was appointed District Adjutant several years. At The Department of Florida, he served several years as Chairman of the Resolutions Committee. Dennis was awarded an Honorary Life Member at American Legion Lakeshore Post 137. He was also a member and supporter of the Sons of The American Legion and the American Legion Riders at Post 137.
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Past 15th District Commander, George “Bill” Hamblin, of Tampa, Florida on Monday, February 10, 2020 at the age of 73. Bill is survived by his wife, Rosemarie. There are no details regarding services at this time, but any new information will be communicated to you through email as well as posted on the website.
Bill was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam War Era Veteran and a member of U.S.S. Tampa Post 5, Tampa, FL with 18 continuous years of membership. Bill served as Post Commander (2006-2020) and District Commander (2015-2016).
Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers in their time of grief. If you would like to send your condolences you may do so through his wife, Rosemarie, at 4405 W. Vasconia Street, Tampa, FL 33629.
A Celebration of Life has been scheduled for Post 5 Commander and Past 15th District Commander George “Bill” Hamblin on Sunday, March 29th from 12pm to 5pm at Post 5, 3810 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL.
More lives are lost every year to home fires than to all major disasters.
Through our Home Fire Campaign, volunteers and other community partners canvass neighborhoods, installing free smoke alarms and providing fire prevention and safety education.
If you need a smoke alarm installed, or want to get involved in this campaign, please call 352-415-4636.
(INDIANAPOLIS, February 9, 2020) — American Legion National Commander James W.
“Bill” Oxford released the following statement regarding allegations that senior leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs attempted to retaliate against a staff member for reporting a sexual assault.
“Generally, The American Legion does not comment on VA’s internal personnel matters. We invest full faith and credit in the administration, the Inspector General, and department leadership to faithfully execute their duties, serve in a manner that honors their sacred positions, and work to protect the communities they serve. We are not privileged participants in any formal investigations and learn of publicly available reports from the same sources the general public does, and we rely on these reports to inform our membership, our voice, and positions.
In cases where evidence is uncovered of malfeasance or wrongdoing, The American Legion expects that the perpetrator or perpetrators will be held accountable and either disciplined, dismissed or prosecuted accordingly. The allegations that have been reported over the past week at the Department of Veterans Affairs are extremely concerning and bring into question the ethical suitability of the leadership at VA’s highest levels.
The American Legion calls on the administration and Congress to thoroughly investigate the recent allegations of improper employee behavior and report their findings to the American people with complete transparency. We expect that any persons found to have acted outside of their authority and the scope of their duties will be held accountable and dealt with in an appropriate manner. This was one of the core tenets of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 that The American Legion supported, and still supports today.”
Last years cruise was a blast, and we are ready to go again.
This will be a first come first serve, so make your reservations ASAP as cabin space might fill up quickly. Please call to reserve your room as prices change all the time. My wife works for Carnival, so we will be taken care of.
Put your deposit down quickly and she will try to have us as close together as possible. Remember, this will be a FUN cruise and time to enjoy each other’s company and to recharge for the year.
I will have hotel information as we get closer for the night before the cruise. Everyone have a great time and we’ll see you aboard.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or vacation planner, Maureen Williams.
MARCH ON TALLAHASSEE: Senator Wright introducing his bill related to crimes against Veterans to the Senate Criminal Justice Subcommittee. The American Legion proudly waived in support of this bill.
MARCH ON TALLAHASSEE: Appropriation Subcommittee is getting started, in which we will be supporting bill HB 593 Disability Retirement Benefits for Veterans.
