Michigan Legion Media Room

The American Legion Department of Michigan Wounded Warrior Retreat Project  By Gary Tanner, Reconnect Committee Chairman The Department of Michigan Reconnect Committee in cooperation with ACO Hardware of Michigan, the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation and the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau has launched another new and innovative program to better serve Michigan’s veterans, service members and their families.   The Michigan Wounded Warrior Retreat program is designed to provide Wounded and returning Warriors and their families with a relaxing weekend away to help relieve some of the stress associated with Combat injuries.  It can be extremely difficult coping with such injuries and the new normal that these families are forced to deal with.  The Michigan Wounded Warrior Retreat program will provide a pleasant distraction and some critical family bonding time in a peaceful and relaxing Northern Michigan setting.  We are very fortunate that on...

LEADERSHIP COLLEGE - COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU December 2, 2011 Zone 5   Post 144, 115 N. Front St., L'Anse, MI 49946  December 3, 2011 Zone 5  Post 71, 802 Delta Ave. Gladstone MI 49837  December 4, 2011 Zone 5  Post 74, 7964 State Hwy M-123, Newberry, MI 49868  January 14, 2012 Zone 4  Post 165, 5111 Hedgewood Dr, Midland MI 48640  January 15, 2012 Zone 4  Post 458, (Eagles Aerier 1825) 515 S. Wisconsin,        Gaylord, MI 49734  January 28, 2012 Zone 3  Post 149, 408 S. Saginaw St, Holly, MI 48442 Calling all Michigan Legion, Auxiliary, and SAL Leaders and Future Leaders! Would you like to know more about the proper procedures for running a meeting?  How about things you can do to make your meeting run smoother and shorter?    Want to learn about the latest technology like MyLegion.org?  Maybe you want to better understand online membership renewal?     ...

"Tis the season for holiday gift giving...... Give your Michigan Legionnaire a gift so they can "show their pride" MI Legion Gear Order Form The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. The American Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, child welfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate for veterans. For more information contact the Michigan Legion at 517-371-4720 ext 16, mark@michiganlegion.org, or visit our website at www.michiganlegion.org.

Chaplain Eddie W. Brown, State Chaplain “Celebrate with Thanksgiving”                  The holidays, or Holy Days as I like to call them, are fast approaching.  This is a special time of year and most religions have various celebrations during the next few months.  Many of us still working receive a few days off to celebrate with our families these special days of historical and/or religious significance.   During these events we need to remember the reason for the season.  We need to take time out of celebrations to honor God.  Psalm 69:30 says “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving .”             Thanksgiving needs to be more than football Thursday.  We need to take time to explain to our children why we are celebrating.  It sounds a little hokey but we really do need to repeat the stori...

The changing face of the Legion By: Wanda Torres     Have you been noticing lately that the World around us is changing?  Our Communities are larger, our technologies are faster and very diverse.  Our wounds and our wounded are also very different.  We wear many new and different faces these days.     Our American Legion is the largest Veteran’s Service Organization in America and I have always believed it is the best.  However, it will only remain the best if we all step up and do our part to keep Our Organization taking the steps needed to be the best.     In past generations there were so many things happening to our service men and women that we did not understand.  Often, they would return home and have no idea how to deal with their physical and emotional pain.  If they were in a loving Community they may have found various ways to cope and continue on as a positive member of their Community.  Many se...

MEMO TO:     Patrick Lafferty DATE:             November 22, 2011 SUBJECT:        Supercommittee Task Force Update 4 FROM:            Tim Tetz, Legislative Director Fellow Legionnaires – As you learned yesterday, the Supercommittee has failed.  Late yesterday they gave up and announced their inability to come to a consensus on the $1.2 trillion in cuts.  As you recall, this failure was contrary to our message on the hill just three weeks ago.  The blaming has begun between the two parties, but in the end, everyone, no matter the party, no matter their status on the committee, no matter their elected position, failed. We should not walk away in shame or accept blame for our efforts.  We did our best to bring a message of balanced approach to the Committee members and Congressional leadership.  We have lost ...

The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Michigan and Lansing Area Flagstar Banks Team up to support Veterans. "Fly-a-Flag for a Vet" runs from November 1-November 23rd, 2011 in Lansing area Flagstar Banks. East Lansing, Okemos, West Saginaw, Cedar Street, Grand Ledge branches. Visit a participating branch and donate $1 and sign your name to a Fly a Flag card that will be displayed in the bank.  Donations go to support the Veteran Services  programs of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan. Don't live in the Lansing Area, but want to Fly a Flag, send a check to ALA of Michigan, in the memo line write Fly a Flag.  We will fly it here in the headquarters. Thank you for your support.

Reappointments made to Barrier Free Design Board Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today reappointed Roger Donaldson of Holt, Karla Hudson of East Lansing and Brett Holt of Saginaw to the Barrier Free Design Board. The board reviews, processes or recommends barrier-free design rules. It also oversees any exceptions to the rules and appropriate equivalent alternatives. "These individuals have done a great job contributing to the board and will continue to ensure Michigan's buildings and infrastructure are safe and accessible to all our citizens," Snyder said. Donaldson is an architect and owner of Roger L. Donaldson AIA, P.L.C., which provides accessible designs and works with individuals with disabilities to develope a better understanding of their needs. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA of Michigan, LEED Accredited Professionals, the Association of Licensed Architects, Construction Specifiers Institute, an...

HAPPY VETERANS DAY Women Veterans: Tradition, Service, Pride from Skip and Robin Coblyn on Vimeo . The American Legion Department of Michigan represents over 70,000 members in the State of Michigan. The American Legion was founded in 1919, based on “The Four Pillars”; veteran rehabilitation, Americanism, child welfare, and national security and continued above all its mission as a consumers’ advocate for veterans. For more information contact the Michigan Legion at 517-371-4720 ext 16, mark@michiganlegion.org, or visit our website at www.michiganlegion.org.

Veteran's and Families Informational Seminar Great Lakes National Cemetery Director Richard Anderson will be at VFW Post 9283, 16200 Dix-Toledo, Southgate, MI - November 16th, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Learn about the eligibility and requirements to receive veteran burial benefits. A veteran service officer will be on hand to answer any questions you may have on other VA benefit questions. Open to Veteran's, veteran spouses, families, and caregivers of veterans. Please RSVP  irishshalew@aol.com

ANN ARBOR, Mich.   -- The University of Michigan Athletic Department will honor America's past and present military men and women on Friday November 11th, 2011  The Athletic Department will also honor our nation's servicemen and women during the Men’s Basketball game against Ferris State on Friday, November 11. All current and former Military members are eligible to receive a discounted rate of 4 tickets for $11.  Additionally, the Men’s Basketball team will be hosting its 3 rd   Annual Care Package Drive in conjunction with the University of Michigan Student Veterans Association.  Donations can be dropped off at Crisler Arena in the concourse near Gate E, Gate A or Gate B. Preferred donation items include: 1.  Black/White socks 2.  Deodorant 3.  Men’s boxers/briefs and undershirts (all sizes) 4.  Gum 5.  Protein bars 6.  Canned chicken/tuna and ramen noodles 7.  Hand-written letters 8.  Hot Chocolate Mix 9.  Magaz...