Last week I reported on the American Legion legislative priorities for 2021. This week, I'll highlight the priorities of our sister veteran service organizations (VSO), the VFW and MOAA (Military Officers Association of America). There are some common priorities for most all veteran service organizations, such as: VA compensation for toxic exposure, paying the Coast Guard when the government shuts down, not taking VA disability compensation payments out of military retirement pay, and equity of benefits for National Guard/Reserves with their active duty counterparts. The VFW and MOAA have other specific priorities. VFW priorities include improving survivor benefits; never reducing one veteran’s benefits to pay for another; reform the dysfunctional federal budget process; reduce the number of service members and veterans who die by suicide; and improve services for women and minorities. MOAA priorities include expanding access to care giving, palliative, geriatric, and extended care programs for veterans and wounded warriors; protect family support programs and ensure military-provided services (housing, PCS, child care) are affordable, readily available, and meet quality standards; sustain Veterans Health Administration (VHA) foundational missions and services, through expansion; and protect Arlington National Cemetery as an option for those currently eligible to receive full military honors. The other VSOs such as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA), American Veterans (AMVETS), and many of over 50 other VSOs are actively lobbying for legislation to support veterans, our military and protection of our National Security. Your dues count.

Raffle tickets for a cord of split firewood should be available from our members this week. Tickets are $5 each and there will be two winners. The drawing for the winners will be on Veterans Day, just ahead of the winter season. Please support our Post so we can continue to achieve our mission.

The Legion is founded on four pillars: Veterans, Youth, strong National Security, and Americanism. Our Post is actively involved in all four of those Pillars. A major priority for us is to help our veterans navigation the VA system and get the benefits they have earned. We sponsor our local Scout troop and hopefully a Legion baseball team. We are part of the Department of Maine Legislation and National Security committee in the lobbying efforts to support our legislative, State and Federal priorities. We are addressing Americanism in a number of ways including ensuring our flag is honored, ensuring our fallen heroes and warriors are remembered on Memorial Day, conduct ceremonies to honor specific heroes such the Four Chaplains. Especially important to our Post is to support fundraising efforts for our community members who experience hardships. Your support of our firewood raffle will help us be successful in meeting our commitments to our community.

American Flags of all sizes are now available at extremely competitive prices. Contact the Hall at 633-4487 or email Chris Armstead at chrisalegion36@gmail.com

Breakfasts start again on April 11.

The next Post meeting will be in person and Zoom on April 12 at 6 p.m.