Space Force veterans and active duty military now welcome in the American Legion
When the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act was signed by the presiednt in 2019 and beame Public Law 116-92, the Space Force was added to Section 101(a)(4) of Title 10, which now reads: "(4) The term 'armed forces' means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. "Since Section 21703 stipulates only "Armed Forces" and U.S. Code now includes the Space Force in its definition, no actions are required by The American Legion to accept Space Force servicemembers into the organization.
(From The American Legion Magazine)
_________________________________________________________________
Check out a unique look at Veterans Memorial Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here is presented a "birdseye" view of the flag and flagpole that was installed last year. The project was financed by American Legion Post 46, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 423, and the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department.
__________________________________________________________________
Ann
Arbor VA Medical Center a step closer to being renamed in honor of Medal of Honor Recipient LTC Kettles. Click HERE to see a press release by Senator Peters' office on a bill being introduced.
____________________________________________________________________
Need food in these trying times. No one should go hungry as we deal with this COVID virus. Click HERE to see a list of food pantries in Washtenaw County. This list is provided by Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor.
______________________________________________________________________
Resources to Keep Updated On Coronavirus (COVID 19)
Governor's COVID-19 Executive Orders
World Health Organization (WHO)
The American Legion and our local Post 46 want you to practice safe practices to keep yourself and those around you from contracting the Coronavirus. A lot of misinformation is being distributed through social media. Keep abreast of the latest restrictions and hopefully updates on the progress of an antidote for this virus by checking the above sites frequently. Be well and stay safe.
____________________________________________________________________
|
|
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. |
____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________
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.
------------//-----------
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"
_____________________________________________________________________
Ann Arbor VA Medical Center
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.
Today, April 20, 2020 the Ann Arbor Fisher House has officially opened.
Because of the COVID virus, the facility is temporarily being used to house medical staff and family members who are spending their final moments with palliative care patients.
---------------
VA MISSION Act:
Answers to the top five questions about urgent care. Read about it here
______________________________________________________________________
Comments From The Ann Arbor Legion Post 46 Commander Dave Draper
Another fiscal year is about to come to a close with officer elections coming very shortly, depending on the progress of the treatment for the COVID 19 virus.
Our post supports the VA Medical Center here in Ann Arbor. Each year we contribute to our local VA both financially and through volunteering. We have contributed to the patient coffee fund, contributed a coffee maker for the oncology department, funded gift certificates for the patients, provided a luncheon for the VA Security team on Police Appreciation Week, we host bingo once a month and provide cash winnings to the participating patients, we have several members who volunteer their time during each week to serve at various positions at the VA, and we continue our commitment to the financial support of the new Fisher House being constructed on the VA grounds.
On a community level, our post recently donated to the Food Gatherers to help support the student lunch program while the coronavirus is active. We worked with the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation to have a flagpole and flag erected at Veterans Memorial Park. Partnering with VFW Post 423, we provided a major part of the funding for that project. Every year during the week of Memorial Day we place gravesite flags for deceased veterans at Bethlehem Cemetery. We also meet the needs of veterans through purchasing groceries and occasionally household supplies.
Our post has also provided scholarships to the University of Michigan ROTC cadets, financially supported the Boys State program, sponsored a Poppy Drive to raise money for an organization that helps veterans and their caregivers with PTSD, sponsored fifteen wreaths which will be placed on gravesites by us at Great Lakes National Cemetery during Wreaths Across America week, began the process to start a Jr. Air Rifle program, and annually we participate in the Walk and Roll 22 awareness walk put on by WACU.
We are always looking to find more ways to serve our veterans, active-duty military and our local community. We hope you will feel inspired to join us and help us to serve. Recently passed legislation allows all honorably discharged veterans to join our organization- whether you served in a combat zone or was a desk clerk at a stateside base. You served a purpose and helped keep our Nation safe, no matter how large or small your part.
Dave Draper
Commander
The American Legion
Erwin Prieskorn Post 46
Ann Arbor, Michigan