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Showing posts from October, 2013

Veteran Events & Announcements 10/17 to 10/24

Listed below are the events I have for the next 7 days here in the Metro Detroit area.  I have also attached my latest event listing which has 7 new items on it!  You can also go to the Legion 328 website to download any flyer for these future events.  http://www.legionpost328.org/events.html   Clicking on "attached flyer" for each event either below or on the future listing will get you the flyer for that event. You can get a monthly view of events by going to: http://www.michiganveteranresources.com/Events.aspx ANNOUNCEMENTS! "Veteran Job Fairs" The State of Michigan, Workforce Development Agency, Veterans' Service Division, is hosting a number of job fairs around the state in November. See the flyer for exact times and addresses for each, plus items you need to bring. "Home Front Strong" This is a free 8-week group that will help spouses

Legion commends vet-friendly colleges for suspending fees during shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Legion commends vet-friendly colleges for suspending fees during shutdown   WASHINGTON (Oct. 9, 2013) -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans service organization is praising a handful of schools who are suspending tuition fees for active-duty servicemember students supported by Department of Defense's Military Tuition Assistance (TA) while the current government shutdown continues. "The generosity of these institutions of higher learning is commendable and wise," said Daniel M. Dellinger, national commander of The American Legion. "Obviously, these schools' administrators understand and appreciate the sacrifices already being made by our servicemembers and their families. To compound those difficulties by introducing the financial strain of unpaid tuition, or by threatening the continuation of their Military Tuition Assistance-supported students' academic studies, would be unfortunate, indeed.  I am hea

Update: President Signs Death Benefits, Legion thanks him

Legion thanks President for signing death benefits             INDIANAPOLIS (October 10, 2013) – Just a couple of hours after the leader of the nation's largest veterans organization took strong issue with the White House's description of a bill which would restore death benefits for fallen military servicemembers, the national commander of The American Legion thanked the president for signing the belated legislation. "While I'm still disappointed that the White House press secretary called this important legislation a 'gimmick,' I am extremely gratified that President Obama has signed it into law and the military families that have sacrificed so much can now get this small financial benefit that they would prefer not to need in the first place," National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said. "This is proof that when the Senate, House and president want to get something done, they can make it happen. Now let's get on with re-opening the gover

VA regional offices shut down

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   VA regional offices shut down Because of the continuing government shutdown, VA closes all public services at its regional offices   WASHINGTON (Oct. 8, 2013) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced it is placing more than 7,000 employees on furlough, effective Oct. 8, a move that will eliminate public access to all 56 of its Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) regional offices. As a result of the furloughs, VBA can no longer conduct personal interviews and hearings, process GI Bill benefits, offer educational or vocational counseling, or provide outreach activities and programs -- including VetSuccess on Campus. The reduced work force also means that American Legion service officers are unable to use office space allocated to them at the regional offices. Daniel M. Dellinger, national commander of The American Legion, expressed outrage at the latest impact of the government shutdown on veterans. "Because Congress and t

Congress is missing its chance to help America's veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Congress is missing its chance to help America's veterans   WASHINGTON (Oct. 2, 2013) -- The House of Representatives failed to pass a bill yesterday that would have guaranteed payments of benefits to America's veterans beyond this month as a partial shutdown of the federal government continues. The Honoring Our Promise to America's Veterans Act, which failed by a 264-164 vote, also would have provided funding to the Veterans Benefits Administration so that processors could continue to work overtime to reduce the massive backlog of undecided claims. "Yesterday, Congress had a chance to put America's veterans before politics and failed," said Daniel M. Dellinger, national commander of The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans service organization. "Because of its inability to pass legislation for necessary VA funding, Congress is jeopardizing veterans and their families who won't be receiving their be

American Legion leader to address press about government shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE American Legion leader to address press about government shutdown WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2013) -- The leader of the nation's largest wartime veterans' service organization will conduct a high profile press conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Oct. 4.  With the National World War II Memorial as a backdrop, Daniel M. Dellinger, national commander of the 2.4-million member American Legion, is to present his organization's views on the current partial shutdown of the federal government and how the suspension of services affects military veterans and their families. Topics to be addressed include the current state and possible future of veterans benefits payments, how the much publicized Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits application processing backlog could be exacerbated by the government shutdown, the effects of the shutdown on VA medical facilities and the delivery of healthcare to veterans among other matters. While at the Wor