District 15 Legionnaire Memorial Day edition 2022

15TH DISTRICT

LEGION

NAIRE

“The Nation that forgets its Defenders 15th District Legionnaire

...will itself be forgotten.”

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties"

B OB ATC H L E Y 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

COMMANDER'S CORNER I hope everyone within the 15th District and their families are doing well.

I

Following a year and a half of pandemic isolation we are getting reacquainted with our brothers, sisters, friends and communities. We have been re-learning programs we could accomplish with little effort before the pandemic.

I applaud the 15th District for the perseverance each and every one of you have shown in transitioning back into a somewhat normal life.

Our nation has lost many over the years in protecting our freedom and the freedom of others. We have also lost many Veterans to Post Everlasting this last couple of years.

G E N I E C A R I SN E R 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Happy Memorial Day. I Hope this finds everyone doing well and getting back to a normal schedule.

Please remember to offer your Poppies and display them during the month of May. Wear them, make memorial wreaths and crossed to present at Memorial Day services if they are having any in your area. Your can also offer them to your members to place on the graves of their loved ones. A lot of Units are using a Poppy Letter with a Poppy inside to get donations this year. This process has been used by many Units for years as a way to reach those members who are unable to meet with us.

PLUS INSIDE...

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Homeless Vet Outreach.....Page 5

Blood Drive 2022.............Page 10

Congratulations to the newly elected Unit officers. We are looking forward to a productive year. Many thanks, to all of our members for hanging in there with us during these times of uncertainty. I am looking forward to seeing every one at our District meetings.

Op. Comfort Warriors........Page 15

Many people today do not understand the sacrifices that were made to ensure our way of life and freedom.

(Continued on Page 3)

Monday, May 30, 2022 | MEMORIAL DAY | 1

Genieca Risner 15th District Auxiliary President 2021 – 2022

100 Miles For Hope....... Page 24

Health Care For Women..... Page 54 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

2 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

15th District Legionnaire

15TH DISTRICT OFFICERS COMMANDER Bob Atchley, Post 20

CHAPLIN Eddie Kurtz, Post 124

1st VICE COMMANDER Ralph Wenzinger, Post 26

HISTORIAN Brian Adams, Post 20

2nd VICE COMMANDER Eddie Orosco, Post 20

JUDGE ADVOCATE Juan Lopez, Post 779

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Thomas Heidtman, Post 63

SERVICE OFFICER Michael Johnson, Post 26

FINANCE OFFICER David Graham, Post 26

ADJUTANT Dennis Ragsdale, Post 221

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Historian Dee Ann Graham, Unit 26

First Vice President Barbara Goodlow, Unit 26

Parliamentarian

Dee Ann Graham, Unit 26

Second Vice President

Sergeant-at-Arms & Marshall

Linda Carmichael, Unit 221 Secretary Treasurer

Karen Herrera, Unit 20 Treasurer Brenda Preston, Unit 26 Chaplain

Kathryn Johnson, Unit 221

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Jan Fletcher, Unit 711 Marshal

Zana Chaney, Unit 124 Finance Commitee Linda Charmichael, Chairman Helen Bartholomew, 2 year Zana Chaney, 3 year

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ney We save you mo

Scott Sanders Manager

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

C OM M A N DE R ' S M E S S AG E

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

(Continued from Page 1)

DISTRICT 15 STANDINGS

Post # Post Name & City

MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 3

s rs fer be s s L l n al em UF aid oa ot ra M P P T T G al 21 21 21 21 21 21 Go 20 20 20 20 20 20 %

18

Visalia, Visalia

1

20

97

9

127

149

85.23%

19

Alta, Dinuba

2

8

36

0

46

48

95.83%

20

Porterville, Porterville

5

29

116

3

153

194

78.87%

26

Bakersfield, Bakersfield

8

76

462

23

569

763

74.57%

63

Fellows, Taft

12

8

47

2

69

71

97.18%

Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a recognized federal holiday for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

Many of us visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers come together to place an American flag on graves of military personnel in national and area cemeteries.

On Memorial Day we will raise the American Flag and then lower it to half-mast.

This Memorial Day do not forget to take a break from whatever you are doing and remember those men and women who have given the greatest sacrifice over the years.

We must also remember those grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters who lost loved ones who died defending our freedom.

Please stand with me, face and salute the American Flag and say a prayer in memory of our fallen veterans.

Never Forget

94

Exeter, Exeter

0

9

34

0

43

59

72.88%

124

Merle Reed, Delano

14

14

56

0

84

85

98.82%

128

Lindsay, Lindsay

0

11

3

0

14

16

87.50%

221

Tehachapi, Tehachapi

12

25

104

6

147

164

89.63%

682

East Bakersfield, Bakersfield

5

25

78

1

109

153

71.24%

711

Kern River Valley, Lake Isabella 0

9

46

1

56

79

70.89%

743

Charter Oak, Ivanhoe

0

8

18

0

26

32

81.25%

779

Terra Bella, Terra Bella

1

4

12

0

17

24

70.83%

785

Sierra, Visalia

6

42

115

0

163

133

122.56%

6

288

District 15 Totals

1,224 45

Bob Atchley 15th District Commander 2021 – 2022

1,623 1,970 82.39%

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

4 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 5

HOMELESS VETERAN OUTREACH

The American Legion supports the efforts of public and private sector agencies and organizations that aid homeless veterans and their families. Additionally, the Legion supports legislative proposals to provide medical, rehabilitative and employment assistance to homeless veterans and their families.

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The Legion recognizes that aiding homeless veterans requires a sustained coordinated effort, which should provide secure housing and nutritious meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare and mental-health counseling; as well as personal development and empowerment. Homeless veterans also need job assessment, training and placement assistance. The ultimate goal is total self management for the homeless veteran.

The American Legion has stepped up its support for homeless veterans, coordinating a Homeless Veterans

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Task Force among its departments to augment homeless service providers and fill in the gaps where no assistance programs are available. All departments have a Homeless Veterans Task Force chairperson and an Employment chairperson who are capable of providing assistance to any homeless or financially destitute veteran who contacts them. The two chairpersons also can coordinate activities with posts in their departments to aid homeless veterans and their families and prevent future homelessness among veterans.

For all inquiries on veteran homelessness and Legion outreach efforts, contact: Stuart A. Lee, II, Policy Coordinator, Veterans Employment and Education Division slee@legion.org (202) 263-5770

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

6 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

15th District Legionnaire

VA HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE V HA S T R I V E S TOWA R D R AC IA L E Q U I T Y I N HOM E L E S S P RO G R A M S THE AMERICAN LEGION

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In response to the disproportionate number of minorities experiencing homelessness in the United States, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Homeless Programs Office (HPO) established the Racial Equity and Racial Justice Workgroup to better ad-dress the needs of these veterans.

Historically, some racial and ethnic groups experi-ence higher rates of homelessness in the U.S., which are also reflected in homeless veterans.

The establishment of the Racial Equity and Racial Justice Workgroup stemmed from advocates for people experiencing homelessness recognizing the need to look at homeless services from a racial equity lens. This awareness, coupled with ongoing police violence propelled HPO to create action plans and build an infrastructure for promoting racial equity.

The workgroup will focus on three distinct areas: · Policy and program improvements · Direct patient care improvements · Staff support In 2022, the workgroup will conduct an organizational assessment of HPO that will give them insights and enable them to best plan the next steps. This assessment will help them identify and address disparities in access and outcomes for veterans en-gaged in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) homeless programs and further develop a racial equity dashboard and quality improvement initiative.

The racial equity dashboard will allow staff to measure population segments by provid-ing race and ethnicity information on total homeless populations, access to services, exit outcomes and lengths of time in programs or housing processes. Additionally, the workgroup will better educate staff and ensure competency understanding racial jus-tice and equity and develop a mentorship network for local homeless program staff. These reports will then provide more holistic information at the national, Veterans Inte-grated Service Network (VISN) and local levels. This, says VA, is what will drive the implementation of solution-oriented changes.

This is part of VA’s commitment to reducing veteran homelessness.

“Due to significant investments from Congress in the last three years, we have sub-stantial resources to invest in homeless prevention,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said. “We also have proven strategies that have not only decreased the number of homeless veterans, but also prevented veterans and their families from experiencing homelessness in the first place. What remains is the energy and effort needed to finish the job.”

VA and its community partners will place at least 38,000 veterans experiencing home-lessness into permanent housing in 2022. This is an increase of more than 10% from 2021. Since 2010, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has declined by nearly half. More than 920,000 veterans and their family members were permanently housed or prevented from becoming homeless since then.

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness should contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.

Scott Cernosek Cell 559.799.8652 Scott@MainLineIndustry.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Office 559.636.9600 Fax 559.636.9603 9626 West Nicholas Avenue Visalia, California 93291 www.MainLineIndustry.com

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 7

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION P

Presidential Memorial Certificates A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of deceased Veterans who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

History This program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents. Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38, of the United States Code.

Administration The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the PMC program by preparing the certificates which bear the current President's signature expressing the country's grateful recognition of the Veteran's service in the United States Armed Forces.

Eligibility A PMC is authorized for Veterans who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery by reason of any of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 2402(a) of title 38 U.S. Code §112.

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF OUR LOCAL VETERANS AND ARMED FORCES. THANK YOU TO THE AMERICAN LEGION FOR OVER 100 YEARS OF HELPING THE MEN AND WOMEN AND MILITARY FAMILIES WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY. GET BUS MISSION STATEMENT WE MAKE LIFE BETTER BY CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PLACES ONE RIDE AT A TIME.

FOR REAL TIME INFORMATION: 661-869-2GET(2438) | www.getbus.org

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

8 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

15th District Legionnaire

ARE YOU TURNING 65 OR NEW TO MEDICARE?

Medicare Advantage plans like Humana Honor may complement VA benefits—did you know?

Humana Honor (HMO) may complement your VA benefits*—and may save you money And, you may save on medical costs while enjoying:

• Part B premium reduction for $90 more in Social Security each month • $2,000 dental coverage annually for select services, plus exams, X-rays, cleanings, illings and more • Vision beneit includes annual exam, itting and $100 allowance for contact lenses or eyeglasses • Hearing beneit includes annual exam and $499 copay for advanced hearing aids or $799 copay for premium hearing aids • Worldwide emergency coverage Call a licensed Humana Sales Agent Daralynn King CA License #0B45126 818-257-0559 (TTY: 711) En español? Llame al 310-483-6261 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. dking@humana.com humana.com/dking

A more human way to healthcare™ *Medicare eligible veterans may choose any Humana Medicare Advantage plan. Humana Honor plans are available to anyone eligible for Medicare. USAA and the USAA Logo are registered trademarks of the United Services Automobile Association. All rights reserved.

USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its afiliates. Use of the term “USAA member” or “USAA membership” refers to membership in USAA Membership Services and does not convey any legal or ownership rights in USAA. Restrictions apply and are subject to change.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to Humana Honor (HMO). At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1¦877¦320¦1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1¦877¦320¦1235 (TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用繁體中文 ，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務 。請致電 1¦877¦320¦1235 (TTY :711) 。 H5619-120-000-2022

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 9

HUMANA A M E R IC A N L E G ION

SU P P ORT S V E T E R A N S FAC I N G L ON E L I N E S S

A big part of what Humana does on a daily basis is make sure members get the support they need. You may think the support is mainly approving claims and answering plan questions. That is an important part of its business, but more and more of what Humana does focuses on making sure its members get the resources they need to live a full life.

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There are many things that affect your health that aren’t medical, but social. Known as social determinants of health, they are part of the national conversation on healthcare. The conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.

These barriers to good health occur outside of the health care system and can be things like poor education, low income or lack of transportation, food insecurity and loneliness.

FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE. Thank you to all the men and women of our Armed Forces.

Social determinants of health are so important that Humana has made it a core principle of its business- to co-create solutions with community partners – like the government, physicians and community organizations and veteran’s service organizations – that address care of the whole person.

It’s common to experience feelings of loneliness, even when surrounded by friends and family. Loneliness is a feeling of sadness or distress about being alone or feeling disconnected from the world. It can strike when a person doesn’t feel a sense of belonging or have social connections to friends, neighbors or others.

“Many veterans don’t realize that support for loneliness may be available to every veteran through his or her primary care physician (PCP) or veterans service officer,” said Ed Sandrick, Director of the Veterans Channel at Humana. “Identifying individuals at risk for loneliness, social isolation and related outcomes allows physicians and health plans like Humana to also predict their healthcare needs and establish appropriate preventive and intervention strategies to improve their health.”

If you or someone you love is facing loneliness, visit FarFromAlone.com to find resources to help or have them reach out to their veterans service officer who can support them.

www.BakersfieldHeartHospital.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

10 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

15th District Legionnaire

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE 2022 VA E N C O U R AG E S D ONAT I N G B L O OD A M I D B L O OD C R I SI S

The department is exercising its “fourth mission” to back up the country’s health care systems in times of emergency. Eligible individuals are encouraged to donate blood. Donors may give blood no matter their COVID-19 vaccination status.

“In an effort to continue to save lives, exercising VA’s fourth mission at this critical time greatly helps the department meet the need for blood and blood products in communities across the nation,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough.

“While we continue to focus heavily on the care of Veterans during this challenging pandemic, blood donation is more important than ever, and its impact can result in as many as three lives saved through one blood donation.”

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The Department of Veterans Affairs and its participating VA medical centers across the country are in the midst of “Roll Up Your Sleeve 2022” blood drives through March in response to the ongoing national need for blood during the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency.

VA teamed up with the American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers’ regional blood collection organizations, in December — activating its extensive network of medical facilities to support the nation’s need to replenish the blood supply.

VA facility-based blood drives have instituted safety precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — requiring masks, following social distancing guidelines and enhancing their disinfection protocols. These practices help ensure the safety of blood donors, blood drive hosts and staff at blood drives.

“As Americans, we recognize that our civic duty is to help our fellow neighbors and stand ready to

always support those in need. During this national blood crisis, the Red Cross asks our country to come together and roll up a sleeve to help ensure veterans and all patients receive the care and lifesaving blood products they need,” said President and CEO Gail McGovern.

"Veterans are some of our most dedicated blood donors in this country. We greatly appreciate both their service and commitment. The partnership between the VA and community blood centers is a way to help ensure all patients have access to blood, while spreading awareness of the ongoing need for blood donations,” said America’s Blood Centers CEO Kate Fry. To find blood donation locations in your community visit RedCrossBlood.org or Americasblood. org to make an appointment. Individuals can mention the VA “Roll Up Your Sleeve 2022” or use #ROLLUPYOURSLEEVEVA2022 at their community blood collection site and their donation will be linked to the VA national campaign.

VA-hosted blood drives are scheduled on a rolling basis. Those wishing to donate blood at a VA facility should contact them directly.

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3530 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield • 661.336.0658 • 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

15th District Legionnaire

Proud To Support Our

MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 11

AMERICAN LEGION

Veterans

CAREGIVER P RO G R A M OF G E N E R A L C A R E G I V E R SU P P ORT SE RV IC E S

The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) is one of two programs within the Caregiver Support Program. PGCSS provides peer support mentoring, skills training, coaching, telephone support, online programs, and referrals to available resources to caregivers of Veterans. The Veteran must be enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and be receiving care from a caregiver in order for the caregiver to participate. Caregivers who participate in PGCSS are called General Caregivers. General Caregivers do not need to be a relative or live with the Veteran.

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303 Mt Vernon Ave # B • Bakersfield, CA 93307 (661) 846-3200 • www.west-mark.com

Veteran Student Information

Cerro Coso Community College maintains a full-time program of Veterans’ services to assist veteran students and their dependents. The staff RI WKH &RXQVHOLQJ 2IÀFH DQG 9HWHUDQV 6HUYLFHV representative at the IWV campus work with veterans and their dependents in claiming and receiving the HGXFDWLRQDO EHQHÀWV to which they are entitled.

What you need to know . . .

CHAPTER 30 Montgomery GI Bill

CHAPTER 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill

• Must be enrolled in a • Students meeting minimum of 6 units to HOLJLELOLW\ UHTXLUHPHQWV UHFHLYH EHQHÀWV EH\RQG TXDOLI\ IRU SD\PHQW tuition reimbursement of Basic Housing Allowance (BAH), book • No restriction on VWLSHQG DQG WXLWLRQ location of class* *All units can be taken online 6-8 units ........... half-time 9-11 units ............ ¾ time 12+ units ........... full-time NOTE: Short-term classes will impact funding-see a counselor/educational advisor for more information

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IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION:

CHAPTER 35 Dependents Educational Assistance

CCCC VA Representative 760-384-6291

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veterans@cerrocoso.edu

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CCCC Counseling 760-384-6219

HELPFUL LINKS US Department of Veterans Affairs www.gibill.va.gov www.military.com ZZZ HEHQHÀWV YD JRY Muskogee 888-442-4551 *Dial 1 then 0 to speak with a representative

)25 025( ,1)250$7,21 21 &+$37(56 25 | SEE VA REPRESENTATIVE

What you need to do . . .

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Is PGCSS Right for You? If you are a caregiver of a Veteran enrolled in VA health care who is interested in connecting with other caregivers, receiving additional support from a professional care team, or looking to enhance your skills as a caregiver, PGCSS may be right for you.

Am I a General Caregiver?

A General Caregiver is a person who provides personal care services to a Veteran enrolled in VA health care who: needs assistance with one or more activities of daily living or needs supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological care or other impairment or injury.

Steps for Enrollment – Every Veterans Affairs Facility; is staffed with a CSP Team/Caregiver Support Coordinator. This team can help assist you with determining the resources and services available for you and assist you with enrolling in CSP programs.

There is no formal application required to enroll in PGCSS. To enroll, complete the following steps: 1. R each out to the facility CSP Team/Caregiver Support Coordinator or request a referral from the Veteran’s provider.

2. C omplete an intake with the facility CSP Team/Caregiver Support Coordinator.

The Veteran will need to agree to receive care from you as their caregiver, as you will be listed in their healthcare record.

3. Enroll and begin to utilize the supports and services offered.

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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

12 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

15th District Legionnaire

15th District Legionnaire

“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 13

LEGION BUDDY PROGRAM M OR E T HA N 2 3 4 , 0 0 0 V E T E R A N S R E AC H E D T H RO U G H BU DDY C H E C K S THE AMERICAN LEGION

The American Legion Consolidated Post Report (CPR) for the 2020-21 membership year, which concluded June 30, 2021, revealed a second straight year of massive assistance for veterans through the organization’s Buddy Check program.

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The program, introduced in March 2019, soared in participation during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when American Legion Family members conducted 3,683 Buddy Check operations. In the 2020-21 membership year, the number of Buddy Checks climbed to 3,725, and the number of veterans contacted through the program was reported at 234,601.

Buddy Check toolkits are available here for posts that want to conduct their own programs.

A major technological overhaul at American Legion National Headquarters delayed tallying of the CPR this year.

The percentage of posts reporting their numbers – from VA Voluntary Services hours to the number of Flag Day ceremonies during the year – was 69.5% for the membership year ending June 30, 2020, and 62% for the year ending June 30, 2021.

Highlights reported in the 2020-21 CPR include: • $ 3,002,140 in emergency aid provided for veterans by posts • 244,990 volunteer hours at VA hospitals

• $4,015,805 amount in college scholarships awarded • 6,222 Veterans in the Classroom programs • 3,931 Flag Day ceremonies

• 1 7,657 VA Voluntary Services volunteers representing their posts

• 6,404 Veterans Day ceremonies

• 7 5,959 pints of blood donated by 50,735 American Legion members

• 6,395 Memorial Day ceremonies

• 1 ,556 posts that participated in Department of Homeland Security disaster relief programs

• $ 5,332,525 amount in post funds used in community-service support activities

• 1,117 posts that participated in veteran career fairs

• 1 11,101 children who received financial assistance or goods from local posts

• 4 ,625 veterans placed in jobs through American Legion local assistance

• 2,504,183 volunteer community-service hours

• 27,910 college scholarships awarded

Thank you Veterans! 10% OFF All Smogs.

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“Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties”

14 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

15th District Legionnaire

SKILLS TRAINING

SE RV IC E S P ROV I DE D T H RO U G H P G C S S

VA S.A.V.E. is a skills training that provides information and steps that anyone can take when a Veteran may be at risk for suicide.

S.A.V.E. stands for signs, ask, validate, encourage and expedite. Caregivers play an important role in suicide prevention. They may be the first to notice changes in the Veteran or may be the one that a Veteran turns to when having suicidal thoughts. It is important that caregivers have the tools they need to intervene. S.A.V.E. provides simple steps that anyone can take when talking with Veterans at risk for suicide.

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Building Better Caregivers Building Better Caregivers (BBC) is an online six-week workshop that helps caregivers in two key ways: training in how to provide better care, and helping caregivers learn how to manage their own emotions, stress and physical health. After the workshop, you can stay connected to other caregivers through the alumni community. This service is free and secure. Connect with other caregivers today! Read the BBC Fact Sheet (pdf) to learn more.

MOBILE SUPPORT Annie Caregiver Text Program Annie, the VA’s text messaging service, has several text programs for caregivers. Caregivers can receive messages to help them manage stress, take better care of themselves, manage dementia behaviors, and cope with bereavement. Messages may be educational, motivational or an activity to manage stress. You may stop the service at any time. Caregivers need a phone capable of text messaging to enroll. Talk to your CSP Team/Caregiver Support Coordinator to receive Annie messages.

ONE ON ONE COACHING Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers Health You can participate in REACH VA via individual sessions.

Connect with a coach who will provide you with a workbook and help you with a variety of issues caregivers face. They will coach you in stress management, problem solving, self-care and healthy behaviors, as well as Veteran safety, behaviors, problems or concerns linked to a diagnosis. Your assigned coach will call you for a total of four sessions, over a two to three-month period. If you participate in support groups, you and other caregivers will meet together with a coach. The same REACH sessions and training will occur during six group sessions over three to six months. Learn more about the REACH VA Program.

Caregiver Health & Wellbeing Coaching Whole Health is VA’s cutting-edge approach to care and supports your health and well-being. It centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. A Caregiver Health & Wellbeing Coach is your personal guide who works with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals. The Caregiver Health & Wellbeing Coach uses the Circle of Health visual tool to help explore connections between important aspects of your life and a self-assessment tool known as the Personal Health inventory to help you create your Personal Health Plan. Caregiver Health & Wellbeing Coaches are trained to draw on your strengths and values to optimize your efforts towards achieving your aspirations. *Available at select sites. Partner with your local CSP Team/Caregiver Support Coordinator to determine availability.

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GROUP SUPPORT AND COACHING Caregiver Self-Care/Resilience Courses Caregiver Self-Care courses are in-person or virtual group trainings provided to caregivers with a focus on supporting and meeting their needs. The classes are led by trained facilitators. In these fun and interactive sessions, you might learn about managing stress or coping with your emotions, you may learn a new relaxation technique such as yoga, meditation, or qigong, you may listen to music or practice Zen doodling. Contact your CSP Team/Caregiver Support Coordinator to find out which classes are available for your facility.

CaregiversFIRST Caregivers FIRST (Caregivers Finding Important Resources, Support, and Training), is an evidence-based skills training program for caregivers of Veterans of all eras and diagnoses. Caregivers FIRST is a highly adaptable graband-go curriculum package that includes a series of four proactive group classes to help caregivers build self-care and psychological coping, health system navigation, and hands-on clinical skills. Classes held virtually.

Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers Health You can participate in REACH VA via group sessions.

Connect with a coach who will provide you with a workbook and help you with a variety of issues caregivers face. They will coach you in stress management, problem solving, self-care and healthy behaviors, as well as Veteran safety, behaviors, problems or concerns linked to a diagnosis. Your assigned coach will call you for a total of four sessions, over a two to three-month period. If you participate in support groups, you and a coach and other caregivers will meet together. The same REACH sessions and training will occur during six group sessions over three to six months. Learn more about the REACH VA Program.

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THANK YOU in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice WORLD AG EXPO®

MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 15

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THE AMERICAN LEGION

In 2021, The American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program provided 27 grants totaling $285,000.

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A few of these grants provided service members and veterans with: - Fitness equipment to use in the comfort of their home or to be active outside (kayak, elliptical strider, golf clubs);

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- Food and shelter as they hiked hundreds of miles for veteran suicide awareness; - A rowing boat, oars, rack and trophy to compete in the Head of the Cuyahoga Regatta in Cleveland; - A n engraving and cutting system to help those visually impaired make leather and wood-working goods, such as wallets or cabinetry; - Clothing and toiletries during their stay and recovery at VA medical centers; - a week of recreation with their families at Warrior Retreat at Bull Run in Virginia; - Warm clothes and winter coats for those homeless.

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany received a $6,000 OCW grant for clothing needs to its Chaplain’s Closet, which provides clothes and other comfort items for ill and wounded American service members recovering at the medical center. The Chaplain’s Closet serves more than 200 service members each month, wrote U.S. Army Chaplain Maj. Rickie E. Wambles Jr., to The American Legion. And because it’s not funded by the Department of Defense, it relies on donations.

“Thank you for your generous donation to the Chaplain’s Closet,” Wambles continued in his letter. “Your donation will be used for direct support of our Wounded Warriors taking good care of their daily needs in life, making them as comfortable as possible.”

The OCW program was established in 2007 to provide relief for active-duty military personnel recovering from wounds and illnesses at VA health-care facilities and transition units, and to purchase and deliver items not normally provided by the federal government, such as art and sports therapy equipment.

Learn more about how to apply for an OCW grant or donate to the program at legion.org/ocw. One hundred percent of donations go toward grants.

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OUR KOREAN WAR STORY L E G I O N F I G H T S F O R VA A C C E S S

THE AMERICAN LEGION

On May 9, 1951, a 21-year-old combat veteran of the Korean War was denied admission into the Tucson, Ariz., VA Hospital because, as the director explained, “no returned veteran from Korea is eligible for hospital benefits unless he has been discharged from the service because of a duty disability.”

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The nationally publicized story infuriated American Legion National Commander Erle Cocke, Jr., a World War II combat veteran. He joined Arizona Legionnaires who took up the young veteran’s cause and fired off two telegrams to key members of Congress the next morning, demanding action on Legion-drafted legislation that would give Korean War veterans the same access to care and benefits as those of the earlier world wars.

This year we celebrate 246 years of freedom.

That freedom was won and preserved by hundreds of thousands of active-duty military members and veterans.

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The VA director said his hands were tied because there had been no congressional declaration of war. The director was as perplexed as the Legion, having seen many wounded Korean War veterans come home after months of fighting. “If this isn’t war, I’d like to know what the hell it is!” he was quoted as saying.

Cocke Jr. called on VA Administrator Carl Gray to take a deeper look at the regulatory authority he had to care for sick and disabled veterans of the Korean War, declaration or not. “I have just returned from that area, and I can attest to the grueling ordeal these young youngsters are going through,” Cocke Jr. told Gray. “They are certainly conducting a fighting and shooting war.”

The bills moved swiftly to expand VA health-care services, disability benefits and pensions to veterans of the Korean War to an equal footing as World War II veterans. A joint resolution to that effect was passed and signed into law May 11, 1951.

“The Congress has finally gotten around to recognizing the ‘police action’ in Korea as a full-fledged war,” The American Legion News Service reported. “It took the full force of public opinion to rouse the Congress to action.”

A month later, with Public Law 28 on the books expanding eligibility for VA healthcare services, The American Legion began pushing Congress to likewise expand GI Bill benefits to Korean War veterans.

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ARE YOU A VETERAN IN CRISIS OR CONCERNED ABOUT ONE? You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you.

You don't have to be en-rolled in VA benefits or health care to call.

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SUPPORT FOR VETERANS F I V E M O B I L E A P P L I C AT I O N S T H AT S U P P O R T V E T E R A N S AND CAN MAKE LIFE EASIER

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It might be challenging to find services and assistance for veterans, particularly mobile applications, those that support for veterans. It is well acknowledged that life following military duty may be challenging.

Innovative people and firms, on the other hand, are trying to develop programs that serve veterans and make their life easier and more pleasant. Here are five Smartphone applications that might help veterans.

Rx Refill Veterans may now seek medicine replenishment straight from their cell phones thanks to new software created by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). According to VA, all medications ordered will be sent via the VA mail order pharmacy. In addition to Rx Refill, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers outstanding assistance for veterans via several mobile applications aimed at increasing the quality of veterans’ treatment.

Recruit a hero The Hiring Our Heroes app allows veterans and their spouses to access all material on the US Cabinet’s Hiring Our Heroes website, as well as all partner websites.

This app support for veterans with current information on branding, job seeking, mentoring, and screening, as well as job fair suggestions and advice.

RallyPoint Rally Point is a social networking platform for veterans and active-duty service members. It has several LinkedIn-like features. It also integrates contacts from several emails and social media platforms, allowing you to connect with individuals by rank, industry, or MOS. There are also good job-search options for both military and civilian occupations, which are valuable for both ETS troops and soldiers searching for a better opportunity in PCS. VetChange About 15% of veterans are alcoholics or drug addicts. You may not hear much but consider your current team. At least one individual in the lineup has an issue, according to statistics. VA created VetChange, an alcohol dependency control, and recovery assistance software. When you initially open the app, you’ll be presented (Continued on Page 19)

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SU P P ORT F OR V E T E R A N S

(Continued from Page 18)

with a series of easy questions to assist you in making a plan to decrease or quit drinking and keeping track of your progress in your journal.

There are also several shortcut keys to assist you to cope with the thirst and emotions that might cause you to drink. On iOS, this app is free; however, it is not yet accessible on Android.

POS veterans This app’s objective is to link veterans with other military people in the region and is restricted to location reporting. This program, according to the POS REP webpage, is meant to fight the sense of alienation that many veterans face when they return to civilian life.

Former and current military people may use the app to communicate with, meet, or just stay in contact with others who may be dealing with similar challenges after reintegration.

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DIPLOMACY S A NC T ION S BE F OR E DE PL OYM E N T

BY PAUL E. DILLARD, NATIONAL COMMANDER

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Dear American Legion Family Members and Friends, The multi-nation North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed after World War II to establish a “security architecture” that would provide assurances against aggression on the European continent. The deadly conquests of Nazi Germany were fresh on the minds of those nations that agreed to defend one another should attack come from an external force, as Hitler’s Third Reich had been, leading up to and during WWII. The purpose of NATO has become painfully clear in recent days following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, a democratic, sovereign nation that is not a member of NATO but has aspired to be.

Robert B. Moss, Jr. Architectural Specialties Robert A. Moss, Jr. Installation • Technician

Last Thursday’s unprovoked attack – the likes of which has not been seen in Europe since World War II – has been agonizing. Infuriating as it was – and is – the United States “should exhaust all diplomatic and economic tools at its disposal before utilizing military force” to confront it. That was one key position established last weekend after I called an urgent meeting of The American Legion National Security Commission, composed of veterans who understand war and why it must be avoided, if at all possible, through non-deadly means.

(Continued on Page 21)

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DI P L OM AC Y

(Continued from Page 20)

Thank You

Veterans!

A resolution originating from The American Legion’s Department of North Carolina and advanced by the National Security Commission – “Resolution 1: Statement on Ukraine” – was approved by the National Executive Committee on Monday. The resolution addressed the situation at hand and expressed values worth remembering as the war there continues: The American Legion believes in a “rules-based international order where the territorial boundaries of any sovereign nation should not be changed by force.”

NATO is an essential element of global and U.S. security “in an increasingly multi-polar world where rising powers have become increasingly adversarial…”

Russia has no role in the “security architecture” of NATO. The Article 5 “mutual defense clause” does not extend to non-NATO countries.

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war.

Gino Valpredo

Such were the points The American Legion National Security Commission considered in the resolution, which calls for: “Peaceful conflict resolution in Ukraine, in conjunction with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Russian Federation;” A European “security architecture that takes into account the national security interests of all parties;”

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Non-support for “the deployment of troops for combat operations in defense of non-NATO member countries in connection with the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict;” Urging “the administration to continue the supply of lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukrainian forces;” The “administration and U.S. Congress maintain a strong stance and resist any agreement that could undermine the strategic rationale for the normalization of agreements between NATO, Russia, and Ukraine;” If the administration demands troop deployment, the resolution sets four conditions: U.S. service members should not be deployed in support of combat operations in any theater unless four conditions have been fulfilled: 1. T hat there will be a clear statement by the president of why it is in our vital national interest to be engaged in a particular operation 2. Guidelines will be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy 3. That Congress is consulted and authorizes the use of military force 4. That it be made clear U.S. forces will be commanded only by U.S. officers It has been said before and is worth saying again. No one hates war more than a veteran who has been in one.

We believe in a strong defense capable at any time of protecting Americans and citizens of allied nations. We also know its costs and don’t take lightly any decisions to enter combat – as some nations clearly do – without the right reasons or authority.

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15th District Legionnaire

FISHER HOUSE PROGRAM

BY STEVEN B. BROOKS

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A Fisher House™; is a home away from home for families and caregivers of Veterans and service members receiving treatment at major military and VA medical facilities. VA Fisher House accommodations are provided at no cost to guests and located within walking distance of the treatment facility. VA Fisher Houses provide temporary accommodations at no cost for Veterans, Service members, their families and caregivers while receiving treatment through a VA Medical Facility.

Albany, New York

Gainesville, Florida

Palo, Alto, California (2 houses)

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Greater Los Angeles, California

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Houston, Texas (3 houses)

Portland, Oregon

Augusta, Georgia

Huntington, West Virginia

Richmond, Virginia (2 houses)

Bay Pines, Florida

Kansas City, Missouri

Salt Lake City, Utah

Boston, Massachusetts

Las Vegas, Nevada

San Antonio, Texas

Bronx, New York (2 houses)

Long Beach, California

Seattle, Washington

Charleston, South Carolina

Miami, Florida

St. Louis, Missouri

Chicago, Illinois

Minneapolis, Minnesota (2 houses)

Tampa, Florida (2 houses)

Cincinnati, Ohio

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Togus, Maine

Cleveland, Ohio (2 houses)

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Tucson, Arizona

Dallas, Texas

New Orleans, Louisiana

Washington, DC

Dayton, Ohio

Omaha, Nebraska

West Haven, Connecticut

Denver, Colorado

Orlando, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

A rapid expansion is planned from 50 to 75 VA Fisher Houses over the next 10 years.

To learn more, go to the Fisher House Foundation website.

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DISTRICT 15

MEMORIAL SERVICE

RAY ETCHEVERRY

Wendy Porter

ernstmfg@aol.com

Executive Director

Office: 661.831.7553 Mobile: 661.333.6664 Landline: 661.589.8347 Fax: 661.831.1627

Office: 661.328.8600 Mobile: 661.706.7452 wendy@thewoundedheroesfund.org thewoundedheroesfund.org 3129 Standard St. Bakersfield, CA 93308

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100 MILES FOR HOPE W H E N T H E K I C K S TA N D S G O U P, H O P E W I L L F O L L O W

BY HENRY HOWARD

To register for 100 Miles for Hope, please visit this Emblem Sales page. Please note: We are not using the Kilter app this year but have created an easier way to track your miles. Here are all the details.

“I was impressed last year with how many Riders and chapters supported 100 Miles for Hope,” Clark said. “But I know we can do even better this year. My chapter members and I will be doing a lot of riding in the next five months. I’d encourage other chapters to plan a ride — or rides — to support 100 Miles for Hope.”

For their fundraising efforts, Legion Riders can receive incentives. Here is a breakdown:

Individual participants, including individual Legion Riders Tier 1: $100 in donations Incentive: downloadable certificate from national commander

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American Legion Riders have the opportunity to earn incentives while contributing toward the Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF) as part of the third annual American Legion 100 Miles for Hope.

Last year, a special Riders Challenge ran for one month. This year, individual Riders and chapters have until Sept. 5 to log their miles, raise funds for the V&CF and earn special incentives.

“We were honored to be part of 100 Miles for Hope last year,” Riders Chairman Mark Clark said. “We are always happy to contribute toward worthy causes. And the Veterans & Children Foundation is such a worthy cause. While the American Legion Legacy Scholarship will always be our priority, this year’s longer time frame allows us to also provide assistance to our disabled veterans and families of servicemembers who are struggling.”

Proceeds of the 100 Miles for Hope campaign go directly to the V&CF. Those funds cover training, education and resources to support 3,000 accredited American Legion service officers, and provide aid to military families with minor children at home who are facing financial struggles through no fault of their own.

Tier 2: $250 in donations Incentive: coin from national commander Tier 3: $500 in donations Incentive: plaque from national commander American Legion Riders chapters can also earn rewards throughout the challenge for their fundraising accomplishments. Here are the details:

RIDER’S CHAPTERS Tier 1: $500 in donations Incentive: downloadable certificate from national commander and chairman Tier 2: $1,000 in donations Incentive: plaque from chairman Tier 3: $1,500 in donations Incentive: plaque from national commander

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REGISTERING FOR 100 MILES FOR HOPE H O W T O G E T S TA R T E D THE AMERICAN LEGION

The American Legion 100 Miles for Hope, now in its third year, takes place through Sept. 5 (Labor Day) in 2022. Proceeds from registrations and donations go directly to supporting disabled veterans and military families through The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF).

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To get registered, please visit the Emblem Sales web page. Please note: We are not using the Kilter app this year.

Just like in the inaugural challenge during 2020, this year participants register for $30 and receive a T-shirt and a finisher’s certificate for downloading upon completion of their miles. There also is the option to decline the T-shirt.

To learn more about this year’s 100 Miles for Hope challenge visit www.legion.org/100miles

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UKRAINE T O O S O O N T O S AY I F M O R E M A R I N E S W I L L D E P L O Y T O E U R O P E , C O M M A N DA N T S AY S

BY PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN/STARS AND STRIPES

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began Feb. 24, sparked the deployment of thousands of U.S.-based service members for temporary missions in Europe. Many of those troops were sent to eastern Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine.

The personnel have been deployed to reassure allies, train with host-nation forces and contribute to contingency plans, U.S. European Command said in a statement last week.

Berger said there are no plans to permanently deploy troops to Norway, which shares a roughly 120-mile border with Russia and has condemned the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine. But he said the situation remains fluid.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin “looks at the posture of all the U.S. military forces, where we are now and where we need to be in the future,” Berger said. “I don’t know how much the war in Ukraine might impact his thinking on that.”

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The Marine Corps’ top officer said Wednesday that it’s still too early to tell whether more Marines will be sent to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Commandant Gen. David Berger made the comment as the number of U.S. troops on the Continent recently reached 100,000 for the first time in nearly two decades.

Berger spoke to reporters in northern Norway, where he was on hand for the 27-nation Cold Response exercise.

“There are Marines deployed in response to the conflict in Ukraine in many of the same countries (to which

the Army has deployed soldiers) in a complementary role,” Berger said.

The number of Marines sent to Europe in that role was unavailable Wednesday. The service does keep about 1,500 Marines stationed in Europe, including a crisis response force stationed in Spain that works with U.S. Africa Command.

About 3,000 Marines and sailors are on hand for Cold Response, the largest military exercise Norway’s hosted since the end of the Cold War. It has brought together some 30,000 troops from NATO and partner countries for land, sea and air drills that will continue until the beginning of April.

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Berger also thanked allies for helping to recover the bodies of four Marines who were killed Friday when their Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft crashed about 25 miles south of Bodoe during training.

Norwegian, British, Dutch and Italian forces sent out search and rescue operations in severe weather to recover the Marines, Berger said, adding that Norwegian special operations forces had moved overland to recover the bodies despite avalanche threats.

“I can’t adequately express how grateful I am to all those nations and their military forces,” Berger said.

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VETERANS & CHILDREN FOUNDATION S

Since its creation in 1925, The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation has delivered over $30 million in financial assistance for disabled veterans, military families and young people who lost parents in service to our nation. Income from the foundation investments is used to fund Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation programs and Temporary Financial Assistance, which provides funds to minor children of active duty or American Legion members.

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DISTRICT 15

LOCAL ARMY GUARDE

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NO VETERAN LEFT BEHIND

BY STEVEN B. BROOKS

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On the same stage where he was elected the 2021-2022 American Legion national Commander, Texas Legionnaire Paul E. Dillard shared his theme for his year: “No Veteran Left Behind.”

And then he shared why that sentiment is so critical.

“There are many consequences for a veteran who is left behind,” said Dillard, who was elected unanimously by delegates at the organization’s 102nd National Convention. “Isolation, denied benefits, lost opportunity, lack of decent housing or employment are just a few. But the most tragic outcome for a veteran left behind is suicide.

We must not let them down. Male, female, Iraq vet, Vietnam vet, Korean vet, World War II vet – it doesn’t matter. We all serve, and we must be there for each other.”

Dillard shared some statistics on veteran suicide that he researched online. “Veterans are at a 50-percent higher risk of suicide than their non-serving peers,” he said.

“More than 114,000 men and women who have served in our armed forces have taken their own lives since 2001. That is nearly double the American lives lost in Vietnam. By 2030, it is estimated that the total of veteran suicides will be 23 times the number of post-9/11 combat deaths.

“Each statistic represents a real man, a real woman, and impacts thousands of real families. That is why we must, folks, we must regularly continue our Buddy Checks – not just for past and present members, but for every veteran that we know. If you have any other ideas about what we can stop these tragedies, please share those ideas with your fellow Legionnaires and members of our national staff. There are many important issues facing veterans, but no issue is more important than this: to save a life.

Real stories. Real people. No veteran – and I mean no veteran – left behind.”

A Vietnam War U.S. Navy veteran, Dillard joined The American Legion in 1969 and is a paid-up-for-life member of American Legion Post 265 in Lake Kiowa, Texas. He has served in leadership roles on every level of The American Legion, including post and department commander, national vice commander, Alternate National Executive Committeeman, and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, the Veterans Employment & Education Commission and the Legislative Commission. He was elected as national vice commander in 2013.

Dillard said The American Legion will continue to advance the legacies of veterans “by sharing their love for this country with the next generation. We do this through our youth programs, such as Boys State, Boys Nation, Oratorical, Baseball, Junior

Shooting Sports, JROTC and supporting Scouting. We also reach out directly to veterans through our Veterans & Children Foundation, Operation Comfort Warriors, National Emergency Fund, Buddy Checks and many scholarship programs.”

Dillard said when he testifies before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees during the 2022 Washington Conference, he wants to be able to paint a complete picture of what The American Legion does on a large scale.

“In order to give a full report in my testimony of The American Legion, we must strive for a 100-percent Consolidated Post Report,” he said. “I need to report on the hours donated, the monies raised to support our veterans and our programs. Although these are being done at the post level throughout the nation, we must complete the forms. The mission is not completed until the forms are filed.”

As for donations, Dillard said his Commander’s Project will be the Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF), which provides vital support for military and veteran parents in unexpected financial crises, and support for American Legion service officers in their efforts to obtain care and earned benefits and opportunities for disabled veterans and their families.

Dillard said his goal is raise $2 million for the VCF, but added “the monies that are raised each year for Operation Comfort Warriors, the National Emergency Fund and the Child Welfare Foundation have been very successful and need to continue to be.”

Dillard said he has conducted one-on-one Zoom meetings with each department to establish membership goals. He’s also issued another challenge: a retention rate of 90 percent for 2021 members. “We must make personal contact to our members to thank them for their continued support of The American Legion by keeping their membership current, and ask them if we can count on them this year,” he said.

“Again insuring ‘No Veteran Left Behind.’”

Dillard has been married to his wife Donna since 1983. They have two children and two grandchildren – all members of the American Legion Family. Donna served as Department of Texas American Legion Auxiliary president from 2017-2018.

“It is indeed an honor and privilege to be elected as your national commander of this great organization,” Dillard said. “As we continue to build a foundation for the future, we will ensure ‘No Veteran Left Behind.”

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15th District Legionnaire

VETERAN GAMING N E W V E T E R A N , M I L I TA RY GAMING LEAGUE DEBU T S

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, Chris Earl was a professional gamer. He gave that up after entering the military, but after leaving the Marines in 2020 he decided to start Regiment Gaming in order to keep his military camaraderie and unite veterans in a gaming community.

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But as more and more veterans flocked to Regiment Gaming – including during a successful online gaming tournament collaboration with The American Legion in December – Earl wanted to expand his efforts in the veteran gaming community.

And now he has.

Earl has launched the Veteran Gaming League, which labels itself the “official gaming league for military veterans and service members.”

“Our mission is to give veterans and service members of the U.S. Armed Forces unique professional gaming opportunities through both online and in-person gaming events,” Earl said. “We’re going to host a lot of free-entry cash-prize tournaments, allowing veterans and service members to gain exposure in the gaming industry.”

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Regiment Gaming, which also teamed with The American Legion for a live-streamed Department of Veterans Affairs assistance workshop for military veterans and service members, already has launched the new league. Earl said the league’s tournament platform website will be completed in May. “When I started Regiment, it was always in the back of my head ‘this is a great idea.

This is going to be huge.’ But that’s just in the back of my head,” Earl said. “I never really thought it would get to the point where it’s at today, especially so quickly. I didn’t think that a year and a half after starting my first company I’d be launching a second one. It definitely blew up a lot faster than we ever expected.”

Earl encourages any veteran interested in participating in the league to sign up via Discord.

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“This is kind of a way for veterans and active service members to actually participate in legit, professional leagues through a multitude of online and in-person events.

And it’s really a way for them to showcase their skills and play alongside the top players in these video games. It will give them a real shot to make a name for themselves.”

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AMERICAN LEGION TESTIFIES ON CAPITOL HILL

BY MACKENZIE WOLF

American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard testified March 8 before a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs. The leader of the nation’s largest wartime Veterans service organization (VSO) addressed lawmakers on critical issues and legislation veterans are facing.

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The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder that peace is fragile, Dillard told lawmakers.

“At any time, with or without notice, military personnel may be called upon to defend freedom,” he said during the testimony. “An essential purpose of The American Legion is to ensure that those personnel are not forgotten after the fighting is done.”

Peer support is the backbone on which The American Legion continues to fight for service members and veterans, Dillard said.

Throughout various war eras The American Legion has led campaigns to ensure that service members exposed to toxins receive the proper benefits. Those battles include fighting for government accountability to service members exposed to dangerous toxins while in uniform, securing health-care benefits for bomb-test veterans who were exposed to atomic radiation and proving Agent Orange poisoned tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans.

Now The American Legion is fighting for Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes of burn pits in the Middle East.

Dillard called for Congress to take a three-pronged approach in his testimony: • Concede that exposure occurred to all veterans deployed to identified locations during the Gulf War and the Global War on Terror.

• C reate a framework for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish additional presumptive illnesses when scientific evidence shows an association.

“Veterans who are suffering now cannot wait decades to receive the care they need and rightfully deserve,” he said. “Whether a veteran was exposed to toxins in the jungles of Vietnam or a combat outpost in Iraq, we in The American Legion all stand as peers who have been down this road before and know the government can do better to accept responsibility and help these veterans as they confront illnesses caused by preventable exposures.”

On March 3, Congress again took action on one of The American Legion’s legislative priorities when the House of Representatives passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 — also known as the Honoring Our PACT Act. Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) Mark Takano, DCalif., applauded the work of the VSOs for their efforts during the first session of the 117th Congress. Notably, the passing of the Deborah Sampson Act and the Blue Water Navy Veterans Act were signed into law. The American Legion lobbied strongly for both pieces of legislation.

“I want to personally thank the VSO community for the tremendous help you’ve provided during this legislative process,” Takano said. “The work is not over, but I was encouraged to see 42 VSOs send a very strong letter to the House leadership supporting the PACT Act. “We have big goals,” Takano added. “But I know that with your support and insight here today — along with the support of the administration — we will be able to deliver on them and fulfill the promises we’ve made to the nation’s veterans.”

Suicide prevention continues to remain at the top of The American Legion’s priori-

• E stablish a list of presumptive illnesses associated with exposure to burn pits and other toxic hazards where scientific evidence exists.

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ties. The organization has led from the front in these efforts by implementing yearround Buddy Checks conducted by American Legion posts and members.

The Buddy Check program is one of the best examples there is of peer support, Dillard said. Since its spring 2019 launch, The American Legion’s Buddy Check program has assisted approximately a half million veterans through outreach services performed by more than 3,600 Legion posts in 2020 and 3,800 in 2021. Some veterans needed food, medicine or help in the home, said Dillard, but many were simply happy to hear another veteran’s voice during hard times.

“Isolation is no friend to the veteran who may be confronting post-traumatic stress disorder, possibly at risk of suicide – and in need of connection with others who understand,” he told the committees. “That is why we strongly support the expansion of Buddy Check into a national week of outreach by VA.

Dillard thanked Takano for his leadership on behalf of veterans who served honorably but were later deported because obtaining U.S. citizenship was next to impossible for them while they were in service.

“The American Legion proudly supports the Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act that addresses naturalization during service and protects non-citizen veterans and their families from unwarranted deportation,” said Dillard.

Peer support drives much of The American Legion’s agenda, Dillard continued.

“A National Buddy Check Week can help bridge the gap between veterans in need and VA services to help them.”

Improving VA health-care services for women, fighting for GI Bill education benefits for reserve and National Guard veterans, advocating for better quality of life for military personnel as stories of the deplorable living conditions at the barracks of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center came to light, and demanding that U.S. Coast Guard personnel are protected from pay interruptions in the event of government shutdowns are just some of the ways in which The American Legion continues to fight for veterans.

Recent surveys have shown that over 60% of veterans who die by suicide lacked consistent contact with VA and 40% were unaware they were eligible for VA mental health services.

“Today — as U.S. troops deploy to eastern Europe to defend our allies in case the war expands — history reminds us again that we never know when — or with what notice — men and women will be called upon to fight.

“That is why we also strongly support the attachment of trained, peer-support specialists to posts of The American Legion and other Veterans organizations around the country,” Dillard added.

“How we treat them now — and in the years ahead, when the effects of their sacrifices are upon them — is certain to be more than a matter of compassion — but one of national security as well,” said Dillard.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., applauded the Senate passing bipartisan legislation that she and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, sponsored together to build on suicide prevention efforts by directing VA to designate a “National Buddy Check Week.”

As the largest ground war since World War II rages on European soil, it is disheartening to know that there are WWII veterans alive today that still do not have access to VA health care, Dillard said.

American Legion peer support extends to immigrant veterans. Military service has opened a reliable pathway to U.S. citizenship. More than 760,000 immigrants have become naturalized U.S. citizens since the nation’s inception through serving this nation. However, said Dillard, this pathway has become obstructed as citizenship assistance programs have disappeared from military bases.

“The American Legion is fighting to correct this lapse with legislation pending in Congress. Our World War II veterans halted the spread of tyranny, securing our democracy for generations to come.”

“U.S. veterans from other nations are serving honorably – and then discharging as resident alien non-citizens,” he said. “They come out confused. Why did their service did not bring them citizenship, let alone expedited citizenship they believe was promised to them?”

Fewer than 240,000 WWII veterans remain and hundreds pass away every day, he added.

“Time is running out for these veterans.”

SVAC Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., highlighted issues currently being seen in VA’s caregiver program as a result of the department narrowing eligibility.

In the worst cases, they are deported and disconnected from the VA benefits they earned.

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PAST NATIONAL COMMANDER ‘ WA L K I N G I N T O H I S T O RY,’ PA S T N AT I O N A L COMMANDER TOURS USS CONSTITUTION

SAUCED, TOSSED & MADE TO ORDER!

BY JOHN RAUGHTER

It wasn’t just an ordinary department visit for American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard April 1. The former petty officer and Vietnam War veteran toured the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy, the USS Constitution, during his visit to the Department of Massachusetts.

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11 MOUTHWATERING FLAVORS

“It’s amazing,” Dillard said. “I’ve read about the ship but going on board and seeing how the sailors lived back then, along with the gun power of the Constitution, is mindboggling.”

Dillard and American Legion Auxiliary National President Kathy Daudistel led a delegation of prominent Massachusetts American Legion Family members during a morning visit to “Old Ironsides,” and the adjacent USS Constitution Museum, in Boston’s Charlestown district.

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“She’s still sea-worthy,” said Lance Garrison, who guided the tour. Though the ship is towed when it makes about seven short trips each year to sea, the tugging is a cautionary measure to preserve the historical floating monument to early Navy history.

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Navy Commander Billie J. Farrell added to the Constitution’s illustrious history in January by becoming the first woman to captain the 225-year-old ship. “Every sailor is interviewed and hand-selected to come here,” she said of her 80-member crew.

“I can honestly say that I have the best sailors in the U.S. Navy today.”

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She was also recruited by Dillard as the newest member of American Legion J.W. Conway Bunker Hill Post 26 in Charlestown. She was complimented an additional American Legion Auxiliary membership courtesy of Daudistel.

Past National Commander Jake Comer pointed out that The American Legion supported an initiative for Massachusetts school children to donate their penny collections toward the refurbishment of the Constitution in the 1990s. The pennies added up to a “significant amount,” according to Comer.

“If the national commander didn’t visit the Constitution, it wouldn’t have been worth having him to come to Massachusetts,” Comer added. “We’re very proud of this ship.

He’s a Navy veteran and to walk in to the Constitution is like walking in to history.”

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“I am disturbed by reports that veterans and caregivers … are being rejected at very high rates,” he said. “What is your membership experiencing with the caregiver program and the application and appeals process?”

American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Ralph Bozella told lawmakers that they are finding that caregivers who apply for those claims are being rejected at a rate of 86% to 87%.

“We don’t know why those caregivers cannot appeal those claims through the VBA system,” he said. “That needs to be fixed. We have to care for those who care for our veterans.”

SVAC Ranking Member Jerry Moran, R-Kan., highlighted the installment of a Project ATLAS pod at American Legion Post 5 in Emporia, Kan. This is the newest test site for the initiative involving The American Legion, VA and Phillips.

“Anything we can do to help support our veterans, especially in mental health care during this time, we are happy to be involved with,” said American Legion Director of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Katie Purswell. “The Kansas pod is now complete,” she added, noting they hope to begin seeing patients immediately.

“It’s critical things like the ATLAS pod go through because there are rural veterans and veterans who have trouble with access to internet to be able to go to their appointments,” Purswell said. “It’s vitally important that this pilot succeeds. We need to have more pods like this in other rural communities.”

Takano praised The American Legion for its support of veterans.

“You are a very special voice,” he told The American Legion panel. “Your voice is instrumental and essential in moving the Capitol to do the right thing and to keep our promises.”

This Memorial Day, take a moment to remember the brave men and women who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

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PACT ACT D I L L A R D P U S H E S S E N AT E O N PA C T A C T D U R I N G N AT I O N A L T O U R

BY JOHN RAUGHTER

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In the midst of a multi-state tour, American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard is focused on increasing Senate support for a comprehensive bill that will provide needed care and relief for veterans sickened by exposure to burn pits, atomic radiation and other toxic substances during military service.

Before the anticipated vote at the end of May, he will travel to seven different states, ranging from Alaska to Georgia, to meet with Legionnaires and build support for this once in a generation piece of legislation.

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“The Honoring Our Pact Act is aptly named because it is a solemn promise that we must honor,” Dillard said. “It took far too long for the government to recognize the high cost that the men and women of my generation paid because of Agent Orange.

This bill will provide VA health care for more than 3.5 million contaminant-exposed veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism. It also includes benefits for atomic vets and others who have been exposed to dangerous substances and have gone decades without government accountability or rightful treatment for diseases they contracted because of it. This bill has passed the House. I’m calling on every member of the U.S. Senate to support it. We have called for a vote before Memorial Day, and I can think of no better way to honor the fallen than taking care of their brothers- and sisters-in arms.”

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Dillard and his team of national vice commanders have been carrying this message to Legionnaires across the country. Dillard has already given several media interviews in Minnesota and is scheduled to visit Georgia, Alaska, South Dakota, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois in the weeks leading up to Memorial Day. “People are dying,” Dillard said. “This bill establishes a service connection for 23 illnesses and cancers linked to these exposures. I would like to ask any member of Congress who opposes this legislation, which veterans do you want to leave behind?

Those with Gulf War Illness? Camp Lejeune vets? Those with stage 3 cancer? I call on all Americans to contact their U.S. senators and insist that they vote for the Honoring Our Pact Act. These benefits were earned by our veterans who put their lives on the line for America and suffer today due only to their willingness to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.”

To contact U.S. senators to support the Honoring Our PACT Act, visit https://www.votervoice.net/AmericanLegion/home.

Veterans THANK YOU

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DISTRICT MEETING AND LUNCHEON

WE PROUDLY SALUTE OUR VETERANS

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VETERANS DAY GRAND MARSHAL

Brian Adams , Veterans Day Grand Marshal, Porterville

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MEMORIAL DAY 2021 Putting up the flags on the Ave. of flags at Porterville cemetery Miss Porterville and her court work the crowd Joe Flory accept the Honor flag of his father Legionnaire Ed Flory

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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Fourth District

DAVID COUCH SUPERVISOR 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Room 504 | Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone: 661.868.3680 | Fax: 661.868.3688 | Email: couchd@co.kern.ca.us

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MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 39

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AMERICAN LEGION LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS, 2ND SESSION

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The American Legion is the voice of nearly 2 million U.S. military veterans and service members. A resolution–based organization, The American Legion’s positions represent the views of its members.

VA Healthcare Modernization The future of VA healthcare is as a hybrid system consisting of VHA-provided inpatient and outpatient care, telehealth, and community care. Ensuring VA is equipped to meet the unique needs of an increasingly diverse veteran population requires that VA fully leverage all healthcare modalities and ensure a seamless transition between them. Modernizing electronic health records, veteran centric access standards, and a transparent online scheduling system for both VHA-provided care and community care is essential to ensuring our veterans receive the care they deserve. The means by which VA delivers care may change, but one thing will not: VA should continue to deliver the best care anywhere to our nation’s veterans.

Suicide Prevention & Peer Support Several studies have shown that peer support is beneficial for people who are experiencing mental health issues or are making the transition back to civilian life.

The American Legion has its own peer-support program known as the "Buddy Check" which encourages outreach and veteran peer-to-peer engagement. The American Legion urges Congress to pass legislation requiring VA to establish a national Buddy Check Week to encourage veterans to reach out to those they served with. The American Legion also encourages legislation to establish a peersupport program that would offer grants to place peer-support specialists in local posts of veteran's service organizations.

military service. For decades, The American Legion has fought for service-connected disability benefits for adverse health conditions linked to exposures from a variety of toxic substances. The American Legion urges Congress to pass legislation that (1) creates a list of presumptive illnesses based on scientific evidence, (2) requires VA to presume exposure for veterans deployed to areas with known environmental hazards, and (3) mandates VA toxic exposure studies.

H.R.3967 - Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act Of 2021 S.3003 - Comprehensive and Overdue Support for Troops (COST) of War Act of 2021 Improve Healthcare for Women Veterans VA has an obligation to develop and expand healthcare services for women, the fastest-growing demographic in the veteran community. A high percentage of women veterans who are not enrolled in VA healthcare say lack of gender-specific services and awareness about VA benefits are primary reasons. The American Legion urges Congress to diligently oversee implementation of recently passed VA pilot programs, research initiatives, and policy revisions to address this issue. Additionally, The American Legion encourages expansion of child and newborn care services at VA. S.2533/H.R.4794 - the Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act H.R. 344 - Women Veterans TRUST Act

S.544 - "Buddy Check Week" Act Address Toxic Exposure & Burn Pits A disturbingly high percentage of veterans have been exposed to airborne toxic hazards, often the result of proximity to local environmental hazards during their

Concurrent Receipt Currently, 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries qualify for retirement pay for their service from DoD, and compensation for service-connected dis-

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abilities from VA. However, for retired veterans with a disability rating less than 50%, their VA compensation is deducted from their DoD retirement pay. The American Legion strongly supports ending this unfair policy of forcing many military retirees to forfeit their retired pay to receive equal amounts of disability compensation.

The Major Richard Star Act would repeal this draconian offset, allowing disabled veterans to concurrently receive both their retirement pay and their disability compensation.

S.344 - Major Richard Star Act Guard & Reserve GI Bill Parity National Guard and Reserve service members are being deprived of education benefits that active-duty service members enjoy, despite completing the same duties. According to the law, as it is currently written, National Guard and Reserve service members only accrue GI Bill entitlement when called to active duty under federal orders. When National Guard and Reserve service members are activated under state orders, they do not accrue eligibility for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits like their active-duty counterparts do. The American Legion believes that every day in uniform counts, and urges Congress to recognize the service of National Guard and Reserve service members as eligible for the GI Bill.

H.R. 1836 – Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 GI Bill for Honorable Service To receive most VA benefits, a veteran's character of discharge or service must be "under honorable conditions." However, education assistance benefits, within the GI Bill, has a requirement that service members receive an "honorable discharge."

If the character of service is "general under honorable conditions", the Post-9/11 GI Bill remains out of reach for these veterans. The American Legion urges Congress to correct this statutory incongruity by amending U.S. Code to allow access to VA educational assistance to veterans with general under honorable conditions discharges.

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Citizenship for Honorable Service Many veteran immigrants say they have been deported after discharge because they failed to acquire U.S. citizenship while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The American Legion supports measures to ensure the process of naturalization through military service is completed prior to discharge, to include reinstitution of the USCIS Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative, training for military recruiters and commands about the naturalization process, and the reopening all USCIS field offices abroad to serve service members stationed overseas. We also support providing expedited citizenship applications and the resources to complete the applications to deported honorably-discharged veterans.

S.XXXX - Naturalization at Training Sites Act of 2022 H.R.1182/S. 3212 - Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act Address the Forever Wars & Restore Congressional War Powers After decades of protracted military conflicts overseas with little congressional input, Congress needs to reclaim its rightful role in matters of war and peace.

Too often, the use of military force, as opposed to diplomacy, is considered the primary instrument of national power. The American Legion urges the renewal of a proper constitutional balance to U.S. foreign policy decision-making by urging Congress to renew its war-making oversight role beginning with repealing outdated Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs), reforming the 1973 War Powers Resolution, and properly resourcing civilian tools of diplomacy.

S.J.Res.10 - Repeal the 1991 & 2002 Iraq AUMFs, S.2391 - National Security Powers Act of 2021 Pay the Coast Guard U.S. Coast Guard personnel carry out missions vital to our national security, but they are the only military branch working without pay during government shutdowns, due to their status under the Department of Homeland Security. The repeated and common threat of government shutdowns brings severe and unnecessary hardship on these men, women, and their families. The American Legion urges Congress to reintroduce and pass the Unwavering Support for our Coast Guard Act, which would guarantee that Coast Guard personnel are paid without delay, even in the case of a government shutdown.

S.1845 - Unwavering Support for our Coast Guard Act (USCG) Act Protect the American Flag The American Legion urges Congress to approve an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag. Additionally, The American Legion urges Congress to pass the Flag Code Modernization Act of 2021 to amend the U.S. Flag Code to codify multiple common patriotic customs and practices as described in The American Legion Resolution No. 19: Flag Code Amendment.

H.J.Res. 51/S.J.Res.20/H.R. 4212

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PROUDLY SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL VETERANS Kiel Taylor, CID General Manager Boys State Delegate 2001

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Purple reigns on The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast this week. Co-hosts Jeff Daly and Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado open by discussing the 100 Miles for Hope challenge, now in its third year. The hosts are forging a friendly battle to see who can raise the most money for the challenge’s beneficiary, The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF).

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“We’re having fun with it, but it’s a really great cause,” Daly said of the V&CF, which helps disabled veterans receive their due benefits and military families obtain grants to offset financial crises. All proceeds from the 100 Miles for Hope challenge go to the V&CF. To join the challenge, learn more about it and the foundation, visit the FAQ page.

They also discuss The American Legion’s 103rd birthday, which is celebrated March 15 to 17. Gorbulja-Maldonado reminds American Legion members to share how their posts celebrated the birthday by uploading stories and photos to the Legion town web page.

As part of that segment, they talk about the numerous ways the Legion helps veterans, service members and their families through programs such as the National Emergency Fund, Operation Comfort Warriors, 100 Miles for Hope and more.

“All of our charitable organizations are incredible and if you have not had an opportunity to check them out, go to our website and see how you can give back to our veterans and their families,” Gorbulja-Maldonado said. “I cannot think of a better way to give back.”

This episode is among more than 110 Tango Alpha Lima podcast for veterans, service members and others. All episodes are available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on iTunes, Stitcher or other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available for viewing at the Legion’s YouTube channel.

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LEGION BASEBALL FUNDRAISING

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LEGION MEMBERSHIP Remember Membership is the foundation of the American Legion without it we don't exist we all worked together at one time to maintain the free nation that our forefathers created for us.

And as it says over the doors at our V.A. Hospital FREEDOM ISN'T FREE so work on our young brothers and sisters to join and become members of the largest Veterans organization in the USA 100 years old this year. God bless America.

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Veterans Service Department 7050 Lake Isabella Blvd.

(661) 868-7300 Lake Isabella Office Lake Isabella, CA 93240

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SURVEY DATA N E W LY R E L E A S E D S U R V E Y DATA S H O W S VA L E A D S I N PAT I E N T E X P E R I E N C E

Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals outperform community hospitals, on 10 of 11 metrics, in Medicare’s latest Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems patient survey report.

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The Jan. 26 report found 54% of VA medical centers received 4 or 5 HCAHPS Stars for the Patient Survey Rating compared to 35% of community hospitals.

“VA has seen significant improvement in our patient experience scores since first being included in Care Compare in 2018,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Health, performing the delegable duties of the Under Secretary for Health Steven L. Lieberman, M.D. “Four years ago, only 26% of VA hospitals received 4 or 5 HCAHPS Stars for Patient Survey Rating — rising to 54% — in the latest January 2022 results.

There are 11 HCAHPS Star Ratings appearing on Care Compare: one for each of 10 specific measures of patient experience plus an overall Summary Star rating.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updates the HCAHPS Star Ratings each quarter.

The most recent ratings provided scores for 109 VA hospitals. Hospitals with fewer than 100 completed surveys are not assigned HCAHPS Star Ratings; however their HCAHPS measure scores are reported on Care Compare.

HCAHPS Star Ratings are developed from patient surveys administered through VA’s Survey of Health Care Experience of Patients and in the private sector through the HCAHPS survey. The same questions are asked on both VA and community hospital surveys to evaluate the patient experience.

In addition to hospital comparisons, the VA Quality of Care site provides ratings for outpatient care, nursing homes including State Veterans Homes and MISSION Act quality comparisons.

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MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 47

POST 20 PORTERVILLE HONOR GUARD

Phil Flowers

Mike Smith

Jack Brassifield

Alan Pundt

John Alba

Micheal Alba

Mike Rooke

Jim McKay

Ruben Bonilla

Andy Barkate, MS President

2222 E St • Suite 3 • Bakersfield, CA 93301 Toll Free: 800-914-6837 • Local: 661-631-4355 • Fax: 661-631-4350 email: abarkate@calretirement.com • web: @calretirement.com

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48 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION N AT I O N A L S E C U R I T Y C O M M I S S I O N H E A R S I L L E G A L I M M I G R AT I O N N E E D S F R O M T H E F I E L D THE AMERICAN LEGION

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The American Legion National Security Commission met virtually Saturday, March 5, for the Legion’s Washington Conference.

This year’s commission meeting focused on reviewing The American Legion’s stance on illegal immigration. As part of the analysis, commission members reviewed nine current resolutions and heard from speakers with the U.S Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Center for Immigration Studies.

National Security Commission Chairman Steve Brennan of Maryland said that it’s estimated that 11.4 million people are in the United States illegally; this includes those who have overstayed their visa.

“Forty percent of people in the country illegally are believed to have arrived by visa legally and have overstayed that visa,” said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies. “We need to focus on more than just the border itself in order to achieve border security."

The commission asked the speakers what The American Legion can do at the national level to assist their efforts with immigration needs.

“Tell our story. I think a lot of folks don’t understand what we are up against every single day,” said Alfredo Lozano, acting deputy chief of law enforcement operations for the U.S. Border Patrol, and a U.S. Marine veteran.

Lozano shared with the commission that last year, border patrol agents apprehended 1.6 million migrants at the Mexico-United States border. And from October 2021 to today, they have encountered over 800,000 migrants. These stats do

not account for recidivism and are not the number of unique individuals but the number of total encounters on the border between ports of entry. Additionally, 75 percent of the people that border patrol agents encounter are single adults.

The other 25 percent are families and unaccompanied children – about 400 unaccompanied children are seen every day.

“I’ve been doing this for 19 years, and I can see that the cartels really do shape the environment, really do control who comes into the country,” Lozano said. “They are the gatekeeper for all this activity. That’s the traffic that we are up against. I think that gets lost in translation.”

Lozano gave appreciation to those that assist the U.S. Border Control, such as the Department of Defense, ICE, DHS volunteers, and medical staff which is about 4,000-5,000 personnel. “We couldn’t do our work without them,” he said. But still, the Border Patrol “needs support.”

There are about 19,000 border patrol agents overseeing a population the size of San Antonio, Texas, (over 1.5 million) Lozano said. They are transporting, processing, detaining, feeding, and caring for these individuals. While the media “may say we are heartless, that is the total opposite,” Lozano said. “When they run to us, we give them water, we give them shelter, we give them safety and a lot of times medical services that they haven’t had their entire life. I have seen it myself.”

To support the growing migrant population, recruiting for more personnel is a need Lozano has this fiscal year. “When folks ask me what we need – do we need more technology? Do we need more personnel? Do we need more infrastructure?

Yes to all,” he said. “We need all three because it’s a system.”

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2416 Oak Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 ARSbakersfield.com

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Steve Bratcher Phone: (661) 324-6170 shop@arsbakersfield.com

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MEMORIAL DAY 2022 | 49

I L L E G A L I M M IG R AT ION

(Continued from Page 48)

LICENSE #1008509

Matt Dahm 661.565.6358 dahmmatthew@yahoo.com 4208 Rosedale Hwy, Suite 302-120 Bakersfield, CA 93308

Almost 40 percent of U.S Border Patrol men and women “in green” are military veterans. “You have a lot of veterans that come into this service to make it great and what it is.” Lozano also would like to see the Border Patrol have surveillance technology that the military uses out in the field “to actually respond and deploy and resolve. The more we know about what’s coming up from Mexico … the better we can react.” He too wants to see a “100 percent” vetting process.

“The border patrol is so overwhelmed they do not have the ability to screen everyone thoroughly,” said Vaughan, who added this is visible in the increase in criminal activity by illegal immigrants who were removed from American communities and made their way back. Criminal apprehensions went from 2,400 in year 2020 to about 11,000 last year she said.

For there to be immigration reform, a few of the ways Vaughan gave that she believes is for Congress to provide border security, visa security and vetting; provide more steps to prevent illegal employment; promote the value of citizenship; and provide enforcement to the interior of the country with deportation of criminal illegal immigrants, this includes having law enforcement and ICE working together in sanctuary cities.

“The right to vote is one of the last privileges left for citizens,” Vaughan said, adding that the value of citizenship for legal immigrants who become citizens “is what we want to encourage. That is the purpose of our immigration policy is to make new Americans. I think the Legion could be a strong voice in pushing for those policies.”

ICE removed 185,884 illegal immigrants from the United States in 2020, said Daniel Bible, acting deputy executive associate director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and an Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Our job is to identify, arrest, retain in some circumstances and then ultimately remove those people that are deemed removable from the United States,” Bible said. “We use intelligence to identify non-citizens who present a threat to public safety, national security or threaten the integrity of the United States immigration system. We receive a lot of our intake, especially this year, from cases that were apprehended at the border.”

One of the nine National Security Commission resolutions is Resolution No. 29, passed in 2018 at the 100th National Convention of The American Legion in Minneapolis. Brennan read the resolution to Lozano, which states that “The American Legion recognizes the U.S. Border Patrol’s mission to be an essential contribution to our national security; greatly appreciates the practice of the U.S. Border Patrol to employ military veterans; highly commends the U.S. Border Patrol for its noble and heroic efforts, frequently in the face of danger and adversity, to preserve our national security; and commits its steadfast support to the U.S. Border Patrol.”

“I really appreciate that support. I really do,” said Lozano, who mentioned a local American Legion post was there for the loss of a border agent who passed away from COVID. “I appreciate all that you do. My heart is out to you and thank you for your service.”

  THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

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50 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS When veterans return from combat, some turn to drugs and/or alcohol to cope with their experiences on the battlefield. Sadly, too many veterans end up in the criminal justice system as a result of their service. Veterans Treatment Courts give our veterans the opportunity to live a sober and stable life while restoring their military honor and their commitment to family and community.

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Judge Robert Russell, presiding judge of the Buffalo Drug Court and Buffalo Mental Health Court, created the nation’s first Veterans Treatment Court in January of 2008 in response to the growing number of veterans appearing on his dockets who were addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and/or suffering from mental illness. Immediately following the launch of the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court, Judge Russell and his team were inundated by requests from courts, elected officials, veterans service organizations, and concerned Americans around the country witnessing the same increases in veterans entering the criminal justice system.

What are Veterans Treatment Courts?

The bonds of military service run deep. Veterans have many shared experiences not common among civilians. Research suggests that traditional community services may not be adequately suited to meet the distinct needs of veterans in the criminal justice system.

In Veterans Treatment Courts, those who served in our nation’s Armed Forces go through the treatment court process with their fellow veterans and are connected to the federal, state and local services that are uniquely designed for the distinct needs that arise from military service.

Veterans Treatment Courts follow the Drug Court model. Veterans Treatment Court participants receive first class treatment and other services they require to get back on track and lead constructive lives, yet they are also held accountable by a judge for meeting their obligations to society, themselves and their families. Participants are regularly and randomly tested for alcohol/drug use, required to appear frequently in court for the judge to review their progress, and immediately receive rewards for doing well and sanctions for not living up to their obligations.

Who Participates in a Veterans Treatment Court?

Veterans Treatment Courts involve cooperation and collaboration with traditional partners found in Drug and Mental Health Courts, with the addition of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (Veterans Justice Outreach), Veterans Benefit Administration, state department/agencies of veterans affairs, Vet Center, veterans service organizations, volunteer veteran mentors, and other veteran support organizations.

The American Legion and Veterans Treatment Courts The American Legion provides an extremely valuable service to Veterans Treatment Courts. The American Legion can assist Veterans Treatment Courts by providing Service Officers, mentors, and linkages to federal, state and community veterans’ resources.

Veterans of the United States Armed Forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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V E T E R A N S T R E AT M E N T C O U RT S

(Continued from Page 50)

These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code. Veterans may also be eligible for specific programs and or benefits through their states’ veterans agency to include other agencies due to their veteran’s status.

Many veterans who enter the criminal justice system are unaware of their eligibility in VA programs and services. Veterans often require additional expertise from accredited American Legion Department (State) service officers in navigating the filing and/or appealing of a claim, peer support and guidance.

Justice for Vets, National Association of Drug Court Professionals Justice For Vets, The National Clearinghouse for Veterans Treatment Courts is a professional service organization of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is the lead organization in the nation implementing, advocating, and influencing public policy for VTC’s.

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52 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

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LEGION RIDERS

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Our Lights are Always On We stay awake all night…so you don't have to.

Care & Support 24 hours/day; 7 days/week.

The night can seem extremely long when you must wait until morning to talk with your health care provider. That's why Bristol Hospice promises care and support all the time. At Bristol Hospice, we are always available to quickly meet patient and family needs. For our Bristol program patients, our goal is always to be at your home within one hour from the time of the call. Hospice program admissions are scheduled based upon patient and family desires. Bristol is available to schedule and complete admissions within four hours from time of first call. Nights, weekends, and holidays - when something unexpected happens, you will never be alone. Our clinical care team is always available with immediate access to your medical records, waiting to help.

Our Mission: Bristol Hospice is graciously committed to our mission that all patients and families entrusted to our care will be treated with the highest level of compassion, respect, and quality of care.

We Honor Veterans (WHV) Program – We are committed to serving the Veteran community

Our Veterans served their country, and it is our privilege to serve them in return. As a We Honor Veterans partner, Bristol Hospice engages in ongoing education for our staff and volunteers so that they are equipped with the knowledge and resources to provide veteran-centric care. This means that the hospice care team considers the Veteran’s unique military experience as we develop the plan of care. We honor our Veteran patients’ wishes and preferences throughout their time with us. We acknowledge our Veteran patients’ service with honors ceremonies, life review projects, and special events. Whenever possible, Veteran volunteers visit Veteran patients to provide camaraderie and companionship. Bristol Hospice – Fresno/Visalia is a WHV Program Level 5 Partner.

Veterans Deserve Special Care • Veterans often take great pride in their service, seeing it as a period when they did something meaningful to make a difference in the world. Understanding how Veterans view their military service directly impacts their end-of-life journey.

• Their unique experiences influence needs when it comes to service-related conditions and trauma. Regardless of the situation, it is Bristol’s mission to ensure that all Veterans receive compassionate, quality care at the end of life.

Your Hospice Experience is Our Priority • At Bristol Hospice, your care team considers your military history and preferences, starting at your admission, and integrate that information into the individualized plan that provides a holistic approach to care.

• We Honor Veterans Program and our other signature specialty programs are designed to meet your specific needs.

• Above all, you are the most important part of your hospice care.

Bristol Hospice Programs

Our Bristol Hospice programs provide hospice services to meet the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of our patients and their families/caregivers. An interdisciplinary group of professionals and volunteers develops an individualized plan of care which includes, as appropriate, the following services: nursing, physicians, home health aides, counseling, spiritual support, therapy, dietary, volunteers, durable medical equipment, supplies, bereavement services, and Veteran specific care.

2439 W. Whitendale Avenue, Suite B ⬧ Visalia, CA 93277 ⬧ Phone: 559.741.7220

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54 | MEMORIAL DAY 2022

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HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN I M P R O V E H E A LT H C A R E F O R O U R W O M E N V E T E R A N S

BY PAUL E. DILLARD, NATIONAL COMMANDER

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March was Women’s History Month. This is a time for us to recognize the women who have served in every war since the American Revolution, as well as make great improvements in the care for women veterans today and in the future.

Today, women are the fastest-growing demographic in the military and veteran community – the number of women veterans is projected to be approximately 2.2 million in 2046. With this, VA must plan now to account for these demographic shifts and ensure that women veterans are provided high-quality care and resources.

Improved health care for women veterans is one of several American Legion legislative priorities for the second session of the 117th Congress. I testified on improved care for women veterans yesterday before joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.

An American Legion legislative victory for the first session of the 117th Congress was the passing of the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, which will improve maternal health care for women. Continued improvements in VA’s reproductive care ensures that the needs of women veterans in areas of newborn, maternity and reproductive care are being met through comprehensive health services. This improved care will allow women veterans who seek health care through the VA feel that it is a system built with them in mind.

As we move forward in improved care for women veterans, it is important to advocate for new legislation which fills gaps remaining in care for our women veterans. This means improving mammography services (Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options – MAMMO – for Veterans Act, S. 2533/H.R. 4794), mitigating the cost of contraceptive care, increasing access to child-care services and newborn care at VA medical centers, and studying the need for women-specific drug and alcohol dependency rehabilitation programs (H.R. 344, Women Veterans TRUST Act), as well as others.

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H E A LT H C A R E F OR WOM E N

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DISTRIBUTORS PROCESSING INC We honor our brave Veterans and the men and women of our Armed Services.

This is also includes addressing gender-specific difficulties that affect women veterans, such as not being recognized as a veteran by VA employees, lack of awareness and understanding of VA health-care benefits, and that women veterans being more likely to experience mental health issues and military sexual trauma, as well as chronic pain management and musculoskeletal condition treatment. To address these problems and barriers to care, VA must have care models and standards that are gender-specific and culturally competent.

As women remain the fastest growing veteran demographic, The American Legion will continue to advocate for Congress and VA to meet the unique medical needs of women veterans. A veteran is a veteran, so let’s stand ready to care for and meet the needs of our women veterans and recognize the sacrifices they have made by improving their care.

17656 Ave 168, Porterville, CA 93257 559.781.0297 • Fax 559.781.4321 HONOR A LIFE BY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! SAVING A LIFE

remembering and honoring all who served

HONOR A LIFE BY SAVING A LIFE An hour of your time could mean a lifetime for someone else.

To schedule an appointment, visit hcbb.com/schedule (661) 323-4222 • www.hcbb.com

Maria Blanks Assistant Office Manager 3200 21st Street, Suite 201 Bakersfield, CA 93302 661.323.8044

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O N M E M O R I A L D AY, we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect

the freedoms that define us as a nation. May we never forget the courage and selflessness of these brave men and women.”

www.McCarthyforCongress.com Paid for by Kevin McCarthy for Congress

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