Newsletter for October 2021 First Division Commander Thomas Chambers Greetings to my American Legion family, October is to launch an all out membership campaign. Remember that dues for next year are payable by Oct. 20th. Remember, your dues have to be in before the end of December to keep your legion insurance in tact. Our veterans day goal is to be at 75% Organize and participate in Halloween safety programs to promote the Legion. There are posts still not certified, Commanders, get the paper work done, asap. Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. December 18th, 2021. At 11:00am. Volunteers to place wreaths on graves need to be there at 8:00am I want everyone in the American Legion to remember the four pillars on which the legion was established for: 1. Veterans affairs & rehabilitation 2. National security 3. Americanism 4. Children and youth
Transcript
Newsletter for October 2021
First Division Commander Thomas Chambers
Greetings to my American Legion family,
October is to launch an all out membership campaign. Remember that dues fornext year are payable by Oct. 20th. Remember, your dues have to be in before the end of December to keep your legion insurance in tact. Our veterans day goal is to be at 75%
Organize and participate in Halloween safety programs to promote the Legion.
There are posts still not certified, Commanders, get the paper work done, asap.
Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. December 18th, 2021. At 11:00am. Volunteers to placewreaths on graves need to be there at 8:00am
I want everyone in the American Legion to remember the four pillars on which the legion was established for: 1. Veterans affairs & rehabilitation 2. National security 3. Americanism 4. Children and youth
Remember there are a lot of scholarships available for your high school Juniors. And Seniors to apply for. Don’t miss the deadline for them.
For those of you that are on committees, there are meetings in Bloomington October 2nd and the 9th. Check your call letters.
I am planning on visiting as many post as possible this year. Send me the datesof your meetings and I will try to be there.
Our next 1st division meeting is November 4th at Franklin Park post #974 9757 pacific ave., Franklin park
7:00pm executive meeting - 7:30 pm general meeting
Have a safe and Happy Halloween.
Thomas ChambersFirst Division Senior Vice Commander Frank B. Thompson III
TO ALL DISTRICTS:
Our last meeting in Worth, Illinois was the start of things that we all have to come together as a whole. We all have to learn how to work with each other and to not go at it by ourselves.
We're a post, a district but most of all, we're a division. We're a complete body of one another. The First Division must put aside old issues and keep in focus of what we are here for. First and foremost is that WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE on our memberships, buddy-checks and OUR COMRADESHIP.
We're becoming divided instead of coming together, that's not what THE AMERICAN LEGION is all about.
THE AMERICAN LEGION ITSELF IS ABOUT BEING A PROUD VETERAN, SERVING HIS OR HER COMMUNITY, TO REACH OUT TO HELP OUR FELLOW COMRADES IN THEIR DIRE AND DIFFICULT TIMES WITH LIFE AND THEIR POST, DISTRICT AND DIVISION.
That is the true meaning of being an AMERICAN LEGIONNAIRE, we took an
oath which we should HONOR.
For one another not just for me or just for you, REMEMBER WE'RE FOR ALL. LET'S PUT DOWN ALL ARE BITTERNESS TOWARD INDIVIDUALS AND STAND UP LIKE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO STAND AND THAT'S TOGETHER AS A WHOLE.
Working together instead of against each other will solve a whole lot of our problems.
THE AMERICAN LEGION BELONGS TO ALL OF US.
Frank B. Thompson III
First Division Service Officer Greg Jacobs
Unfortunately The American Legion VSO is working by himself and not taking any new cases.
The VFW Veterans Service Officers have stepped up and are taking cases!
VFW SERVICE OFFICE 2122 W. Taylor St. Rm 105, Chicago, Illinois312-980-4824
The President has signed the P.A.W.S. Act, it directs the VA Secretary to launcha five year pilot program that provided service dog training to benefit Veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This legislation requires the VA to launch the program in early 2022 and must be carried out by at least 5 different VA Medical Centers.
After the pilot program ends the VA must report back to Congress about whether the program should be extended or be made permanent.
Greg Jacobs
First Division Medical Officer Don Horn September: Suicide Prevention month:
o September is a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo topic. We also use this time to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide.
o Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
o Just because September turned over, please continue to reach out with Buddy Checks.
o For Help: Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 then select 1 Text: 838255 If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889 OR you can also Call 911. Go to the nearest emergency room.
Go directly to your nearest VA medical center
September 16: The Veterans Benefits Administration hosted its quarterly meeting with the VSO representatives:
o The VA, to, protect her Veteran’s, their families and employees will follow the POTUS mandate and have all employees be 100% vaccinated against COVID. Presidential mandate came down September 9th so that equates to November 23, 2021.
o There is a backlog of disability claims and the VA is working to relieve the issue
o In response to recent legislation on toxic exposure and new presumptive conditions, VBA developed a plan to proactively digitize more than 15M additional records by September 2022. This should reduce dependency on external agencies for federal records. This digitization plan includes official military personnel files from NARA, VA claim folders retired to the NARA Federal Records Centers, and unit-level records to support exposure and PTSD claims.
o VBA’s National Call Centers have achieved an average speed of 30seconds for answering calls. They have contacted more than 50,000 Veterans who had previously deferred an examination due to pandemic related concerns. Veterans are encouraged to report for these exams so VBA can continue to process their claims
2021 Tomb of the Unknowns Centennial Update – Arlington National Cemetery’s public laying of flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier November 9th and 10th has been suspended. However, on November 9th, the Crow Tribe of Montana will conduct a flower ceremony with a wreath laying and re-speaking of Chief Plenty Coup’s prayer from 1921. On November 10th, the Army Chief of Chaplains will close out the ceremony with a wreath laying and recitation of Chaplain Axton’s prayer from 1921. Then on November 11th at 9 am a short military procession march will occur and personnel will be in period specific uniforms from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War; with a fly over by joint service participants.
Yours in Service, DonThe length of "a minute" is determined by which side of the
bathroom door you're on.
OFFICER CONTACT INFORMATIONCOMMANDER: THOMAS CHAMBERSPhone: (708) 873-0699 Email: [email protected]
