Michigan Legion Media Room

Listed below are the events I have for the next 14 days here in the Metro Detroit area, of which there are many! Things are picking up since this event listing which has 20 new items! 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 You can also find many other veteran events & information for Veterans on the State of MI Veterans website & Detroit Public Televisions' new Veterans website: http://www.michiganveterans.com/home/Calendar.aspx http://www.veterans.dptv.org/all-events http://www.hostmtb.org/RADs_and_Other_Retiree-Veterans_Events.html#MI ANNOUNCEMENTS! "Metro...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   More than 2,500 veterans take Legion survey WASHINGTON ( Feb. 21, 2014 ) -- As of Feb. 20, more than 2,500 veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have participated in The American Legion’s online survey  that seeks to determine the effectiveness of treatments for these two conditions. During the Legion’s month-long survey, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report on Feb. 13 , " Gulf War and Health: Long-Term Effects of Blast Injuries ," that examines how blast exposure increases the likelihood of developing TBI, PTSD and other long-term health ailments among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The American Legion welcomed IOM’s report as a much-needed study that will help to determine what research is needed in the area of long-term health problems caused by blast injuries. Dr. Jeff Greenberg of Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), which helped the Legion develop it...

Presidential Proclamation -- Veterans Day, 2012 VETERANS DAY, 2012 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Whether they fought in Salerno or Samarra, Heartbreak Ridge or Helmand, Khe Sanh or the Korengal, our veterans are part of an unbroken chain of men and women who have served our country with honor and distinction. On Veterans Day, we show them our deepest thanks. Their sacrifices have helped secure more than two centuries of American progress, and their legacy affirms that no matter what confronts us or what trials we face, there is no challenge we cannot overcome, and our best days are still ahead. This year, we marked the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. We began to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. We welcomed our veterans back home from Iraq, and we continued to wind down operations in Afghanistan. These milestones remind us that, though much has changed since Americans first took up arms to advance fre...

Michigan Legionnaires and Auxiliary,     Due to a technical error many subscribers have received their March 2012 MI Legionnaire with the wrong First name and membership number.  We are aware of the problem and it will be addressed in the April/May Issue. Sorry for the mistake. Mark Sutton Editor, MI Legionnaire info@michiganlegion.org 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.

At the Public Relations Commission on Monday February 27th, 2012, we heard from the founders of the G.I. Film Festival.  Brandon L. Millett and Laura Law shared with the commission what they are doing to promote movies made by veterans and or films portraying veterans and the military in a proper light. The GI Film Festival is a 501 c(3) non-profit educational organization, is the first film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the service member through the medium of film. Visit www.gifilmfestival.com for more information.

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 ...

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...

LANSING, MICHIGAN, OCT. 27, 2011 – A delegation of American Legion Department of Michigan Legionnaires are heading to Washington, D.C. in hopes of meeting with Michigan Congressman Dave Camp (R- 4 th District) and Congressman Fred Upton (R-6 th District) on Wednesday November 2 nd , 2011.   Congressman Camp and Congressman Upton are members of the budget super-committee; the American Legion opposes deep cuts to the Department of Defense or Veterans Administrations budget.  “After 10 years of war and current military obligations America’s military readiness, equipment and the care of our veterans should be a priority to the Congress to maintain, not cut. Our service members are at war and need the equipment they have to be working properly.  Our veterans deserve better then a 14 month back log on compensation and pension claims currently at the Detroit Regional Office” says Patrick Lafferty, the Michigan Legion Department Adjutant The Michigan delegation consists of A...

Lansing, Michigan- Legionnaire Lavern Spolarich stopped by the Michigan Legion headquarters today to present a Bradford Exchange "We Will Never Forget" 9/11 Commemorative Sculpture to Department Commander Dick Chatman. 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.

    The American Legion Department VA&R Division was awarded the William F. Lenker National American Legion Service Award for 2011 at the National Convention held in Minneapolis MN on Wednesday August 31, 2011.       The award was presented by National Commander Jimmy Foster, Alaska.  Accepting the award for the Department was James C. Topps, VA&R Director, State Commander William Hafeman, State Adjutant Patrick Lafferty, State VA&R Chairman Raymond Moore, National Jr. Vice Commander John Mella, Past National Commanders Thomas P. Cadmus and Robert Sponogle. 

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.

Donna Anderson, widow of Past State Commander Bill Anderson, donated Bill's scooter to an young veteran in need of one. Watch the video Then read the story 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.

DETROIT, MICH - American Legion Department of Michigan State Commander Richard Chatman received recognition  today from the Detroit City Council members Brenda Jones and Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. for being elected as State Commander, being the first African American State Commander in Michigan, and being a son of Detroit. 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.

The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs have identified the number one issue from the "Global War on Terror" is Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury.  These invisible wounds have been around since the creation of war.  In World War I, it was called "shell shock", as time has passed and more wars have continued we now have clinical names for them or initials, PTS and TBI.  The signature wounds of our day. After Vietnam and even during the first half of the current wars the wounds were misdiagnosed and even ignored.  Between 2002 and 2005 thousands of soldiers were discharged from the Army with "personality disorders".  Some may have been, but we are learning many more were suffering from these treatable wounds PTS/TBI.  Many of us know what PTS is, but what about TBI or traumatic brain injury.  In it's simplest form it is a concussion, in most cases a severe concussion.  Unlike a Sunday football quarterback, when a...