Resources to Keep Updated On Coronavirus (COVID 19)
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.
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Post 46 delivers a check to Food Gatherers to help offset the cost of providing lunch for the Ann Arbor Public Schools school lunch program during the COVID 19 virus epidemic.
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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
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
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