American Legion Post 94
SEPTEMBER 2019 Newsletter
Up-Coming Meetings and Events
Monthly Membership Meetings (Second Friday of every month except July)
6:00 pm – Social
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Program
13 September 2019
Annual Post Membership and Awards Dinner and Ceremony (i.e. steak night) starting at 6:00 pm. Come and join us for a great evening.
Keynote speakers are Lacey Mayor Ryder and County Commissioner Menser.
11 October 2019
Program to be announced later
8 November 2019
Talk about the Ft. Lewis Museum
Post and American Legion News
In addition to the update on who is eligible to join the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary bylaws were revised at the National Convention last month as well. Now eligibility to join the Auxiliary was changed from “wife” to “spouse”. This will permit the male spouses of female veterans to join now.
The Post now has a website in addition to its Facebook page. Please check it out at:
http://centennial.legion.org/washington/post94
You can also follow Post activities on Facebook. Check it out and like us to follow events.
Our Facebook page is American Legion Post 94 Lacey Washington.
General Veteran and Safety News
Veteran Suicide
Here is some information from the VA that you should be aware of.
Overview
Sometimes, life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, like there’s no way things can get better. When things feel unbearable, or if you’re having thoughts of ending your life, support is available. VA offers a number of programs and resources for Veterans and their loved ones, friends, and health care providers.
If you are a Veteran in crisis — or you’re concerned about one — free, confidential support is available 24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online.
Suicide Is Preventable
Suicide is a national health concern that affects all Americans, whether or not they have served in the military. VA believes that everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. That’s why we are working with community partners across the country — including faith communities, employers, schools, and health care organizations — to prevent suicide among all Veterans, including those who may never come to VA for care.
S.A.V.E. Online Suicide Prevention Training
VA recently launched the S.A.V.E. online suicide prevention training video in collaboration with PsychArmor Institute, a national nonprofit providing online education and support to those who work with, live with, or care for Service members, Veterans, and military and Veteran families. S.A.V.E. — which stands for “Signs,” “Ask,” “Validate,” and “Encourage” and “Expedite” — offers simple steps that anyone can take when talking with Veterans who are at risk for suicide.
Know the Warning Signs
Sometimes, a crisis may involve thoughts of suicide. Learn to recognize these warning signs:
· Hopelessness; feeling like there’s no way out
· Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or mood swings
· Feeling like there is no reason to live
· Rage or anger
· Engaging in risky activities without thinking
· Increasing alcohol or drug misuse
· Withdrawing from family and friends
The presence of the following signs requires immediate attention:
· Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
· Looking for ways to kill yourself
· Talking about death, dying, or suicide
· Self-destructive behavior such as drug misuse, carelessly handling weapons, etc.
If you or the Veteran in your life is feeling depressed, anxious, hopeless, or as if life has no purpose, but is notin immediate danger, we encourage you to:
· Visit VeteransCrisisLine.net to learn about support that is available to you.
· Use our resource locator to discover the suicide prevention resources in your area, including VA medical centers and Suicide Prevention Coordinators.
· Visit MakeTheConnection.net to hear from Veterans and their family members who have coped with challenges like yours.
If you are a Veteran or you know a Veteran who is showing any of these signs, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text to 838255 today.
Murphy’s Military Laws of the month
· The important things are simple.
· The simple things are very hard.
· No plan survives the first contact intact.
· Prefect plans aren’t.
Adjutant’s Report
If you have not renewed your membership for this year, please do so soon.
Building Rental
If you were not aware, the Post offers both the post building and the pavilion for rent.
Building
Post Members
Non-Members
Post Building
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion (available only on week nights)
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion is no longer available for weekend rentals. The post has a Church renting it for both Saturday and Sundays.
There is a $200.00 refundable security deposit requirement as well. Please contact Larry Granish at 360.701.5921 or email at lgrani@comcast.net to reserve either facility.
Chaplain’s Corner
Contact the Post Chaplain, Otis Chapman, at lukie1964@gmail.com if you need assistance.
Service Officer and VA News
President signs Blue Water Navy Veterans Act into law
The American Legion
Jun 26, 2019
The decades-long fight for Blue Water Navy veterans to receive VA disability benefits for illnesses linked to exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War is over.
On Tuesday, June 25, President Trump signed into law H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. The American Legion-supported legislation will extend disability benefits covering medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure to those who served on ships off the coast of Vietnam, known as "Blue Water" Navy veterans.
Veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange if diagnosed with a medical condition associated with the herbicide, according to the Agent Orange Act of 1991. Presumptive diseases of exposure to the herbicide include certain cancers, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. However, this act applied only to veterans who served on land and in Vietnam’s inland waterways. H.R. 299 extends these benefits to any military personnel who served on any vessel during the Vietnam War that came within 12 nautical miles of the coastlines of Vietnam.
H.R. 299 further expands coverage and includes the provision that every veteran exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange should receive the same presumptive benefits. A provision in H.R. 299 states, “A veteran who, during active military, naval, or air service, served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975,” will be eligible for disability compensation for presumptive conditions of herbicide exposure. This will allow veterans who fall into that category and whose claims have been denied or held in pending status to gain access to VA medical care for conditions on the presumptive list.
H.R. 299 will afford spouses of certain veterans whose death was caused by a service-connected disability access to pension benefits. The bill also provides the children of veterans of covered service in Thailand who suffer from spina bifida access to health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance.
Service Officer Information
Do you feel that you have a residual health problem that is linked to your time in the service? Have you applied for benefits with the Veterans Administration and been turned down? If so, do not try to deal with the VA on your own. My name is Rose Hodgeboom and I am the Post 94 service officer. It is my job to help you navigate the benefits system. Call me at 360-491-3621 if you need assistance with a claim. The Legion also has a Temporary Financial Assistance program that could help you one time with paying your utilities, rent/mortgage, or other emergency needs. This is an American Legion Children and Youth program and to qualify you must have minor children in your home. If you feel you need help from this program let me know and I will be glad to help.
The Lacey Veterans Service Hub also provides a wide variety of assistance to veterans and now has over 35 providers working out of there. The Hub is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (except holidays) and is located at 4232 6th Avenue SE, Suite 202, Lacey, WA 98503. The phone number is 360.456.3850.
Post Officers for 2019-2020
Commander – Gary Walker
1st Vice-Commander - Eric Strom
2nd Vice Commander - Bob Nakamura
Adjutant - Larry Granish
Finance Officer – Dave Hodgeboom
Sergeant at Arms – Kevin Lindsey
Chaplain – Otis Chapman
Veteran Service Officer - Rose Hodgeboom
Judge Advocate - David Hodgeboom
Post Historian – Len Tobin
