The National American Legion convention is being held in Minneapolis next week, and the state along with other entities is declaring August 24 as American Legion Day. This year is the 100th anniversary of the American Legion in the state of Minnesota.
Any American Legion veteran or Legion family member who would like to march in the national parade can call 507-360-7116 to reserve a place on the bus that will leave from the redwood Falls Legion Post at noon on Sunday, August 26. Veterans can march in the parade or watch the parade and ride the bus back to Redwood Falls that evening. There is a $25 charge for the bus.
The American Legion, along with other veterans organizations, have seen declining memberships due to the passing of many older veterans. Younger veterans are needed, with fresh new ideas and new leadership.
Did you know that if it weren’t for the American Legion, there would not be a GI Bill? It was drafted by a Legionnaire and pushed through Congress by American Legion lobbying. That’s just one of the benefits that veterans enjoy as a result of these service organizations.
These organizations, the American Legion, VFW and more, help their communities in many important and charitable ways. They also lobby for new legislation to provide new benefits or update existing benefits for veterans and sponsor many programs aimed at veterans, their families and youth.
Meeting attendance is not mandatory and annual dues are reasonable. Membership helps to display solidarity to lawmakers, proving there really is strength in numbers. They even represent you if you have a VA disability claim.
Veterans organizations have websites where additional information can be found: The American Legion (www.legion.org); Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) (www.vfw.org); Disabled American Veterans (DAV) (www.dav.org); Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) (www.vva.org); American Veterans (AMVETS) (www.amvets.org); Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPPH) (www.purpleheart.org).
Veterans Service Officers are available in most counties to aid veterans with many issues they may have. In Nobles County, contact Bill “Brock” Brockberg at 507-295-5292; In Jackson County, Jeff Gay at 507-847-4774; and in Murray County, James Reinert, 507-836-1169.
