2010 VA Budget request listed in Document section - check it out

The American Legion cheers swift action on key vets bills

        WASHINGTON (June 24, 2009) – The national commander of The American Legion says he is greatly encouraged by the swiftness of bipartisan action taken by members of the U.S. House of Representatives to assure timely enactment of several pieces of legislation important to the interests of America’s military veterans.

“Last week, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer pledged to make veterans’ bills a top priority on the legislative schedule,” said David K. Rehbein, speaking from Iraq where he is currently visiting U.S. troops. “Their colleagues on the House floor have now echoed that commitment to our most deserving citizens,” he said. 

        On Tuesday evening the House of Representatives passed four bills emerging earlier this month from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The most significant, in the opinion of the Legion, is the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. This legislation, long supported by The American Legion, authorizes Congress to approve Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care appropriations one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. This will, say supporters, help assure that critical VA monies, and thus uncompromised veterans’ medical care, will be delivered in a timely, sufficient and predictable manner. Advance appropriations, if enacted, will break a cycle of late payments by Congress to the VA during the past 19 of 22 years.

        Another bill approved by the House directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to the rates of compensation for veterans and survivors of veterans with service-connected disabilities. This compensation boost has been adopted annually since 1976.

        An additional bill passed on the House floor provides for a VA website listing of scholarships available to veterans and their survivors.

        The most impassioned presentations made in the House Tuesday concerned legislation introduced by Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D - S.D. Called the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, it would expand and improve health care services available to women veterans with an emphasis on those who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Both Herseth Sandlin and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner lauded the bill as a vital first step in recognizing the dramatically increasing role of women in military service, especially in combat related roles, and correcting the inequities and prejudices they still suffer.

        Rehbein commended Filner of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee as well as ranking member Steve Buyer, R-Ind., and fellow member John Boozman, R-Ark, for the strong bipartisan effort they demonstrated to encourage passage of these important pieces of legislation. “Our heartfelt gratitude is also extended to those in the Legion and in our colleague veterans’ service organizations who have worked so diligently – in some cases for years -- to promote these vital advances in care for our veterans,” Rehbein said.

        The American Legion urges the Senate to take action on these remaining measures before the August recess.

Monday, May 25, 2009 at 3:00 PM pacific time (1500 military), we will celebrate and pause for the National Moment of Remembrance as our part in an act of national unity.

We will ring the bell three (3) times, stand, bow our heads and observe one minute of silence.

This shall occur to provide a time of Remembrance for Americas fallen, and for our members, families, guests, to make a commitment to give something back to our country in their memory. We are participating in an act of national unity and demonstrating gratitude and respect for those who died for freedom since the founding of our Nation, and we are providing a sense of history to our citizens and ensure that younger generations understand the sacrifices made to preserve our liberties.

Abraham Lincoln said  THE MYSTIC CORDS OF MEMORY, STRETCHING FROM EVERY BATTLEFIELD AND PATRIOT GRAVE TO EVERY LIVING HEART SHOULD SWELL INTO A MIGHTY CHORUS OF REMEMBRANCE, GRATITUDE AND REDEDICATION ON THIS SOLEMN OCCASION.

The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute).The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans.

Wherever you are, observe the Moment at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day.

Councilman Smith letter regarding Buildings 4/5 and ACOF/ND uploaded

CERT Class - 6 Weeks of Emergency training starts Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 6 PM

American Legion Post 308 and Marine League Friday night dance - May 15, 2009

Reseda Neighborhood Council meets at the Post on May 18, 2009. Public invited. Free

Memorial Day Parade and Post Open House - May 25, 2009. Free BBQ

New document uploaded March 22, 2009 - H.R. 1401

H.R. 1401 would create a service corps of veterans called Veterans Engaged for Tomorrow (VET) Corps focused on promoting and improving the service opportunities for veterans and retired members of the military by engaging such veterans and retired members in projects designed to meet identifiable public needs with a specific emphasis on projects to support veterans, including disabled and older veterans and retired members of the military.

DHS report and DHS apology posted