All Posts

March 26, 2026 Coast Guard operates with unpaid bills and ‘grim uncertainty’ in ongoing government shutdown By Svetlana Shkolnikova/Stars and Stripes Security News Adm. Thomas Allan, the vice commandant of the Coast Guard, testifies during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Wednesday. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) 40-day shutdown of Department of Homeland Security has led to missed paychecks for civilian employees, threatens potential missed pay for servicememb

March 19, 2026 By Linda F. Hersey/Stars and Stripes Veterans-Healthcare-News Bills span improving health care access, government accountability, and benefits for education and workforce readiness.   A whopping 27 bills for reauthorizing specific veterans programs and policies were presented Wednesday at an unusual hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee that focused on eventually combining many of the initiatives into a single omnibus package for a vote in Congress.

American Legion Post 32 in Nebraska makes 446 Buddy Checks on March 15.  Around February of 2025, American Legion Post 32 in Papillion, Neb., staged a Buddy Check effort that went well enough the post decided to make it an annual effort.   They chose March 15 of this year for their next effort, which also happened to fall on the start of The American Legion Birthday. In addition to making 446 Buddy Check calls over the course of the day, those who showed up to make the calls

Minnesota’s American Legion Commander Leads the Way March 11, 2026 As the nation celebrates Women’s History Month in March, Linda Dvorak, commander of Minnesota’s American Legion, offers a perspective shaped by nearly four decades in uniform. Linda’s journey began in 1976, when she followed in her father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Minnesota Air National Guard. “My dad said it would be a good way to make college money,” she recalls. She completed basic training and techn

The American Legion presented its VA Physician and Healthcare Provider of the Year awards during its annual Washington Conference. Dr. Karen Armbrust and nurse practitioner Amy Stanwood of the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System were honored by The American Legion for their excellent care to veterans.    The American Legion VA Physician and Healthcare Provider of the Year awards were presented to Armbrust and Stanwood by Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Lind

Collins addresses Legion Family during Commander’s Call at Washington Conference. A year ago, just weeks after his confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins told Legion Family at the Washington Conference that “the veteran is back to being the only constituent of the VA. The VA itself only exists for the veteran.” Collins echoed that sentiment again at the 66 th Washington Conference, addressing those gathered for Monday’s Commander’s Call

Retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams, who is 100, becomes the oldest recipient to ever wear the medal for his heroic aerial feat in 1952. Retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams, 100, received the Medal of Honor on Feb. 24 for his heroic actions in 1952 when he shot down four Soviet MiGs during a 35-minute dogfight, an aerial feat never achieved previously or since. In November 2017, an  American Legion Magazine story  first reported Williams’ achievement after he was sworn to secrecy

Use the email marketing tool to send post newsletters and more. Severson-Cairns American Legion Post 501 in Madison, Wis., is in its third year with a post newsletter, The Weekly, that’s delivered through Mailchimp. Mailchimp is an email marketing tool that allows you to create, send, and manage newsletters.  We felt that in today's constant flow of daily emails, important messages are easily lost. Standard email is functional for one-on-one communication, but for engaging ou

Across the nation The American Legion Family gathered to honor Four Chaplains Day. On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was hit by a German U-boat torpedo as it was transporting troops in the North Atlantic to an American base in Greenland. The ship sank, killing 672 of the 902 officers and enlisted men, merchant seamen, and civilian workers aboard. Among the dead were four members of the U.S. Army Chaplains Corps. As soldiers rushed to lifeboats, Rev. George F

From newsletters to texting, we want to hear your best use of keeping members informed.  American Legion post leaders use a variety of ways to communicate with members, including newsletters, social media, and texting. During the Legion’s National Regional Information Conference Jan. 31 in Indianapolis, attendees shared a variety of texting and voicemail services they use, including WhatsApp , Signal , Slybroadcast , and EZ Texting . Legionnaires shared that they use these se

Minnesota Post 56 hosts informational session on dealing with PTSD for both veterans and their families. An American Legion post in Minnesota recently hosted an all-day event to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And with the Legion’s primary mission being to prevent veteran suicide through Be the One , the post doesn’t plan on the event being a one-and-done. On Jan. 22, Albert Lea American Legion Post 56 hosted three sessions of “Living with PTSD an

While serving in the U.S. Navy, Renel Duvall wanted to create a support group for fellow women in the military. But time didn’t allow it. But now that she is retired, her membership in American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls, Idaho, has given her that opportunity.  On Jan. 28, Duvall – who served in the Navy and Navy Reserve from 1990 to 2014 – launched the first two sessions of her Women Veterans Meetup. The sessions are open to women veterans, as well as those still serving

Athletes from the Army and Air Force World Class Athlete Programs will compete in the Games next month in Italy. The U.S. Olympic team competing in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Feb. 4-22, in the 2026 Winter Olympics includes a number of athletes from the Army and Air Force World Class Athlete Programs (WCAP). The full Team USA roster was announced Jan. 26. Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis (skeleton) and Senior Airman Jasmine Jones (bobsled) will represent Team USA and the Air Force

Legion expresses support for legislation addressing TBI treatment programs The BEACON Act would expand access to innovative, evidence-based non-pharmacological therapies supporting long-term recovery. American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Director Cole Lyle was among a group representing veteran service organizations who spoke in support of pending legislation designed to strengthen care for veterans living with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). On Jan. 9, Reps. Jac

Flag will have flown over graves and memorials in cemeteries under American Battle Monuments Commission’s care. Family, I am thrilled to announce that the National Flag Foundation and our allies in patriotism have accepted the American Legion Riders’ offer to personally escort the U.S. flag from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., next July 4 when our nation celebrates its 250th birthday. This is no ordinary flag. The flag our Riders are entrusted to bring to the nation’s capital

The American Legion National Commander Joins President Trump for Executive Order Reclassifying Cannabis   (WASHINGTON– December 18, 2025) – American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley stood alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday when the president issued an executive order to reclassify cannabis in a way that will allow the FDA to legally conduct research into its therapeutic value for veterans. “This is a really important executive order, and The

Bill authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for troops while forcing more transparency from the Pentagon and putting limits on efforts to pull the U.S. military from Europe and South Korea.  The Senate on Wednesday passed a $901 billion defense policy bill authorizing a 3.8% pay raise for troops while forcing more transparency from the Pentagon and putting limits on efforts to pull the U.S. military from Europe and South Korea.  The 77-20 vote sends the annual bill, known as the Nationa

Legion weighs in on multiple pieces of veteran-friendly legislation Submitted written testimony outlines support for helping veterans land jobs in the trucking industry, increasing financial benefits for catastrophically disabled veterans, and more. The American Legion is submitting three Statements for the Record (SFRs) this week.  First up was an SFR for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, submitted Dec. 2 by Steven Betsch, an Amer

F-16 Pilot Awarded Silver Star for Dodging Surface-to-Air Missiles over Yemen Dec. 1, 2025 | By Chris Gordon An F-16 pilot was awarded a Silver Star Medal for a harrowing mission in which he dodged multiple surface-to-air missiles during the opening weeks of the operation against the Houthis rebels in Yemen earlier this year.  Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks, the former commander of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highe

National Commander Wiley calls upon American Legion Family members to step up amid the government shutdown. This is not a drill. Not a media event. The federal government shutdown enters its second month next week. Our military families, our veterans, and our neighbors all face grave challenges until Congress finds a solution. The American Legion Family must act now. The failure of Congress to have a fully functioning government is having a significant impact on military fami