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VA News Releases |
12/31/2019 03:03 PM EST The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will begin deciding claims for the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 at 12:01 a.m., Philippine Standard Time, Jan. 1, 2020. The Philippines is the farthest east VA regional benefits office. |
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Landmark Presidential Signing of the POW MIA Flag Act
Law now requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties, including the White House, U.S. Capitol, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, office of the Director of the Selective Service System, each major military installation, each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, and each U.S. Postal Service post office.
Read more here POW/MIA Flag Act
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Ann Arbor Veterans Memorial Park Gets A New Flagpole
The new flagpole was a brainchild of American Legion Post 46 member Doug Harvey and assisted by then Commander Oleg Michajlenko. It took a little over a year of negotions and a $10,000 donation from the American Legion Post 46 and another $10,000 from VFW Post 423. The flagpole groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 9. It was installed by Rocket Enterprises of Warren, Michigan. See the pictures by clicking anywhere on this sentence. The Veterans Memorial Park had previously had no flag dedicated to all veterans.
The Ann Arbor News covered part of the event. Click the link to the right to see the story and pictures. Veterans honored with new flag, plaque in Veterans Memorial Park.
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The next day, August 10, the first official flagraising ceremony was perfomed. It was well attended by members of Legion Post 46, VFW Post 423 and VVA 310 members and family members. The 8' x 12' flag was magnificent to see. See pictures by clicking here
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On September 29, 2019 an official dedication ceremony took place. Mayor Taylor, Kate Melcher, and the commanders and presidents of the four major veterans organizations gave execellent speeches. See the picture album from this event by clicking HERE.
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Congress Approves LEGION Act
7/23: The U.S. House passed the bipartisan LEGION Act on Tuesday, extending the recognized wartime era back to Dec. 7, 1941.
The LEGION Act — Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act — fills in the gaps of war eras and redefines The American Legion’s membership eligibility dates, beginning with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and continuing until it is determined the United States is no longer in a state of war.
President Trump is expected to sign Senate bill S.504 into law later this week. When it becomes law, the legislation opens the door for hundreds of thousands of veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.
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From the Office of the Press Secretery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2019
"On Tuesday, June 25, 2019 the President signed into law:
H.R. 299, "Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019," which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to include Blue Water Navy veterans under the presumption of service connection for certain Agent Orange connected medical conditions; and make various changes to VA's home loan programs; and"
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Ann Arbor VA Medical Center
Click Here To See The Ann Arbor VA Medical Center Current Donation Needs
Beginning October 1, 2019, The Ann Arbor VA Medical Center Campus will become smoke-free.
Fisher House
June 14th Fisher House broke ground for a new Fisher House at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. It is the first Fisher House to be built in Michigan. See pictures from the Ceremony.
Fisher House at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center is well underway. The progress has been rapid. Expected completion is Spring of 2020. To be occupied possibly by March. This picture was taken in early February.
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VA MISSION Act:
Answers to the top five questions about urgent care. Read about it here
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Comments From The Ann Arbor Legion Post 46 Commander Dave Draper
As we start a new year and swear in a new Commander, I am hopeful that we, as a Post, continue the rich heritage that has preceded us. If my math is correct, I am the 68th Commander since the Post's founding 100 years ago. We have had years of glory with high membership to times where membership has dwindled. We currently have members from WWII to the more recent conflicts from post 911, a broad range in ages. We will be making a concerted effort to increase membership in the coming year by tapping into the colleges and universities in our area. We recently started holding our meetings in a shared veterans organization building that is more conducive to meetings and at a more appropriate time for everyone.
We will also be focusing more on community support- one of the four pillars of the American Legion, and assistance to Veterans. We currently support Boys State and Fisher House Michigan. Fisher House is a Ronald McDonald like facility but for Veteran families who want to support their Veteran family member who is hospitalized at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. Groundbreaking will take place very soon. We also provide flags at gravesites during the Memorial Day remembrance. We provide homeless Vets with supplies and food, and once a year provide lunch to our law enforcement personnel at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. Once a year we solicit monies through a Poppy drive to raise funds for selected projects. So, as you can see, we are off to a good start to providing services and assistance to our Veteran community.
Thank you to the Post membership for electing me as Commander and for your confidence in my abilities.
Dave Draper
Commander
The American Legion
Erwin Prieskorn Post 46
Ann Arbor, Michigan