I do not understand your question. In my opinion, the voice is in the power of the resolutions passed by members during the national conventions. You can find the resolutions at archive.legion.org/node/7.
Resolution 187 (2016) – Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation, Resolution 38 (2016) – Exempt VA Benefits & Services from Pay-Go Provision, Resolution 33 (2022) – Disability Rating Criteria, and Resolution 19 (2023)
CALL TO ACTION: This is a horrible bill and violates resolutions our membership approved to prevent this type of shenanigans. Let’s demand that the American Legion immediately drop its support for the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) H.R. 9237.
The American Legion is a grassroots, member-driven organization whose policies are established through resolutions adopted by the National Executive Committee or the National Convention. Once adopted, a resolution becomes the organization’s official position and governing mandate unless it is amended or rescinded through the same established process.
Resolution 187 (2016) – Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation, Resolution 38 (2016) – Exempt VA Benefits & Services from Pay-Go Provision, Resolution 33 (2022) – Disability Rating Criteria, and Resolution 19 (2023) – Protection of Veterans’ Disability & Compensation demonstrate a consistent and unequivocal policy opposing any action that would reduce or weaken veterans’ disability compensation and benefits.
Taken together, these resolutions establish a clear and consistent mandate from the membership to protect, not diminish, veterans’ disability compensation and earned benefits. Consequently, support for TCAVA is difficult to reconcile with the official policy adopted by The American Legion’s membership.
When elected officers advocate for or support legislation that appears inconsistent with these adopted resolutions, they risk acting contrary to the expressed will of the membership they were “elected” to represent. Such actions raise serious questions regarding their adherence to their fiduciary duties of loyalty, care, and obedience, as well as their obligation to faithfully execute the organization’s established policies.
We must lobby The American Legion to drop its support of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA)!
1. Don’t quit the Legion; if anything, hold off on paying your dues for 2027. You have until the end of December, but don’t quit – we need you!
2. Visit and support your local American Legion Post. This is a national problem, not a local one.
3. Demand that the American Legion withdraw its support for TCAVA. Send emails to Internal Affairs & Membership, Legislative, and our VA&R division at http://www.legion.org/contact
4. Avoid The American Legion’s Grassroots Action Center
5. Tell Congress you oppose Veterans’ Benefit Cuts at http://www.votervoice.net/VFW/home
6. Share, like, and repost social media posts that encourage the American Legion to “Drop support of TCAVA”
7. Use the hashtags shown below on your social media posts that encourage the American Legion to “Drop support of TCAVA”
For 13 years, I served my country in the National Guard and Army Reserve. Full time employment forced me to quit before a retirement. I’ve tried for years to get the National Cemetery regulations changed to allow honorably discharged reservists the right to be buried in a National Cemetery. I’ve written numerous letters, all falling on deaf ears. I wrote an article for the magazine, “Have You Been Left Out” that generated some responses from other members, also seeking the right to be buried in a National Cemetery. The fact that I did not serve 20 years, nor was I ever deployed, prevents this. For every reservist that would like this benefit, there are hundreds of “qualified” veterans that are NOT buried in National Cemeteries, so it is not like changing the rules would open the flood gates and over burden the cemetery spaces. I help author a resolution here in California for the National Convention to get this change but it did not get accepted at the National level. Once and for all, how can we get this regulation change to allow reservists this opportunity like other veterans, many of whom have served more years than someone who has only served a few? I read these “National Affairs” updates, and I don’t see any reason why this change couldn’t be one of them as well. Today, the country relies heavily on reservists, so why not make this change? I’m sure many of them do not get activated and perhaps don’t serve 20 years for a retirement to make them eligible. I believe the regulations were perhaps written so long ago, they now need to be updated to fit modern times. Suggestions? Thoughts?
It is really a great and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
A PRO and a thought-provoking CON about printing membership cards online:
PRO: Shared in the article – SO convenient! and will also free up time of our already-overburdened staff and post officers from a tedious and time consuming task and enable them to help members with OTHER matters with their newfound time.
CON: The card must be signed by “another member” to be considered valid: If the card is considered valid by merely being signed by any other member, and not an informed and accountable officer of the cardholder’s post, how does that other signing member know that the cardholder is a member in good standing and thereby eligible to even receive a new annual card?
Shouldn’t the card be “validated” by being signed by one of the card holder’s informed and accountable post officers who can attest to the cardholder’s current status of “good standing” before the card is signed and the cardholder then has access to any and all posts (or program participants from the community) to potentially cause further discord or even harm?
As a recent past District-level program chair involving minor-age youth, I required of the Post Chairs to send me a photo of their current, and SIGNED, membership card – easily taken with a cell phone. An ask that was, to some, an unpopular one.
I asked for this because…
Although no background check is required for any program chair to enter school properties and have conversations relevant to their program with minor-age youth, or their parents and family members, ensuring that post chairs were considered by the leadership of their own posts to be in good standing (because the chair had a current membership card that was signed by one of their accountable post officers) afforded some CYA by requiring this simple act of due diligence.
Can you just imagine the comments, (and consequences!) dealt to a District program chair if one of the district’s post chairs of a program for minor-age youth was found to be unsuitable to be in that position, AFTER they had already been in contact, or even had electronic communications with a minor-age program participant or candidate? (The limitations and parameters of electronic communications with minor-age program participants are covered in the Protect Youth Sports online Safety and Awareness Training)
Knowing that SOMEONE’s head would likely have to roll to offer at least a perception of accountability for such an error, aside from the post chair I could only guess who’s head it would be…
“What do you MEAN you didn’t know about this post chair’s unsuitability? Aren’t you the District Chair?!”
“Yes, but the post chair printed their card online and although it was current and signed, it was only required to be signed by “another member”. In this case, it was one of the post chair’s buddies from the clubroom who didn’t know them well outside of that setting and had no idea of the post chair’s unsuitability….and another post chair had a member from a different post in a different district sign theirs. I sure hope all goes well with THAT program chair”
So…
Considering not only, and most importantly, the potential for harm to others, but also the requisite consequences for lack of due diligence by failing to do such a minimal screening to help protect others from harm, I feel that printed cards are a GREAT idea, but that they should be validated by the signature of a knowledgeable and ACCOUNTABLE officer of the cardholder’s current post.
Additionally, if the cardholder has recently changed posts, the concurrence of a knowledgeable and accountable officer of the cardholder’s PREVIOUS post should be required, as well.
This is the LEAST we can do as an act of due diligence (and a pretty low-bar one!) for the safety of the participants of our programs, especially those that involve minor-age youth. (We’ve certainly experienced undesirable, criminal, or even harmful acts that a drifting and unknown member who “post hops” can do)
and last…
What does it say about US to our communities’ parents who have entrusted us with their most precious and cherished, as well as our communities’ educators, law enforcement officers, social workers and program leaders in other organizations if we can’t even be bothered to do THIS?
As the oldest and largest veterans service organization, one would hope, if not assume, that our leaders would take pride in leading from the front in this matter as they do with pride in so many other matters in our service to our communities.
This is such a wonderful example of how helpful a revitalization with added information and resources can be to so many!
and that last paragraph…! 🇺🇸
Thank you, Howard!
“The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state and nation”
Hello David!
I do not understand your question. In my opinion, the voice is in the power of the resolutions passed by members during the national conventions. You can find the resolutions at archive.legion.org/node/7.
Resolution 187 (2016) – Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation, Resolution 38 (2016) – Exempt VA Benefits & Services from Pay-Go Provision, Resolution 33 (2022) – Disability Rating Criteria, and Resolution 19 (2023)
CALL TO ACTION: This is a horrible bill and violates resolutions our membership approved to prevent this type of shenanigans. Let’s demand that the American Legion immediately drop its support for the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) H.R. 9237.
The American Legion is a grassroots, member-driven organization whose policies are established through resolutions adopted by the National Executive Committee or the National Convention. Once adopted, a resolution becomes the organization’s official position and governing mandate unless it is amended or rescinded through the same established process.
Resolution 187 (2016) – Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation, Resolution 38 (2016) – Exempt VA Benefits & Services from Pay-Go Provision, Resolution 33 (2022) – Disability Rating Criteria, and Resolution 19 (2023) – Protection of Veterans’ Disability & Compensation demonstrate a consistent and unequivocal policy opposing any action that would reduce or weaken veterans’ disability compensation and benefits.
Taken together, these resolutions establish a clear and consistent mandate from the membership to protect, not diminish, veterans’ disability compensation and earned benefits. Consequently, support for TCAVA is difficult to reconcile with the official policy adopted by The American Legion’s membership.
When elected officers advocate for or support legislation that appears inconsistent with these adopted resolutions, they risk acting contrary to the expressed will of the membership they were “elected” to represent. Such actions raise serious questions regarding their adherence to their fiduciary duties of loyalty, care, and obedience, as well as their obligation to faithfully execute the organization’s established policies.
We must lobby The American Legion to drop its support of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA)!
1. Don’t quit the Legion; if anything, hold off on paying your dues for 2027. You have until the end of December, but don’t quit – we need you!
2. Visit and support your local American Legion Post. This is a national problem, not a local one.
3. Demand that the American Legion withdraw its support for TCAVA. Send emails to Internal Affairs & Membership, Legislative, and our VA&R division at http://www.legion.org/contact
4. Avoid The American Legion’s Grassroots Action Center
5. Tell Congress you oppose Veterans’ Benefit Cuts at http://www.votervoice.net/VFW/home
6. Share, like, and repost social media posts that encourage the American Legion to “Drop support of TCAVA”
7. Use the hashtags shown below on your social media posts that encourage the American Legion to “Drop support of TCAVA”
#VeteranAdvocacy #veteranssupportingveterans #endthewoundedveterantax #HonorThePromise
Please provide the supporting delegates that give your voice power?
Thank you for the information.
For 13 years, I served my country in the National Guard and Army Reserve. Full time employment forced me to quit before a retirement. I’ve tried for years to get the National Cemetery regulations changed to allow honorably discharged reservists the right to be buried in a National Cemetery. I’ve written numerous letters, all falling on deaf ears. I wrote an article for the magazine, “Have You Been Left Out” that generated some responses from other members, also seeking the right to be buried in a National Cemetery. The fact that I did not serve 20 years, nor was I ever deployed, prevents this. For every reservist that would like this benefit, there are hundreds of “qualified” veterans that are NOT buried in National Cemeteries, so it is not like changing the rules would open the flood gates and over burden the cemetery spaces. I help author a resolution here in California for the National Convention to get this change but it did not get accepted at the National level. Once and for all, how can we get this regulation change to allow reservists this opportunity like other veterans, many of whom have served more years than someone who has only served a few? I read these “National Affairs” updates, and I don’t see any reason why this change couldn’t be one of them as well. Today, the country relies heavily on reservists, so why not make this change? I’m sure many of them do not get activated and perhaps don’t serve 20 years for a retirement to make them eligible. I believe the regulations were perhaps written so long ago, they now need to be updated to fit modern times. Suggestions? Thoughts?
It is really a great and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations to Marquis! Say to go!
My Dad served 20 years U.S.Army career Men Yeah 🇺🇸
A PRO and a thought-provoking CON about printing membership cards online:
PRO: Shared in the article – SO convenient! and will also free up time of our already-overburdened staff and post officers from a tedious and time consuming task and enable them to help members with OTHER matters with their newfound time.
CON: The card must be signed by “another member” to be considered valid: If the card is considered valid by merely being signed by any other member, and not an informed and accountable officer of the cardholder’s post, how does that other signing member know that the cardholder is a member in good standing and thereby eligible to even receive a new annual card?
Shouldn’t the card be “validated” by being signed by one of the card holder’s informed and accountable post officers who can attest to the cardholder’s current status of “good standing” before the card is signed and the cardholder then has access to any and all posts (or program participants from the community) to potentially cause further discord or even harm?
As a recent past District-level program chair involving minor-age youth, I required of the Post Chairs to send me a photo of their current, and SIGNED, membership card – easily taken with a cell phone. An ask that was, to some, an unpopular one.
I asked for this because…
Although no background check is required for any program chair to enter school properties and have conversations relevant to their program with minor-age youth, or their parents and family members, ensuring that post chairs were considered by the leadership of their own posts to be in good standing (because the chair had a current membership card that was signed by one of their accountable post officers) afforded some CYA by requiring this simple act of due diligence.
Can you just imagine the comments, (and consequences!) dealt to a District program chair if one of the district’s post chairs of a program for minor-age youth was found to be unsuitable to be in that position, AFTER they had already been in contact, or even had electronic communications with a minor-age program participant or candidate? (The limitations and parameters of electronic communications with minor-age program participants are covered in the Protect Youth Sports online Safety and Awareness Training)
Knowing that SOMEONE’s head would likely have to roll to offer at least a perception of accountability for such an error, aside from the post chair I could only guess who’s head it would be…
“What do you MEAN you didn’t know about this post chair’s unsuitability? Aren’t you the District Chair?!”
“Yes, but the post chair printed their card online and although it was current and signed, it was only required to be signed by “another member”. In this case, it was one of the post chair’s buddies from the clubroom who didn’t know them well outside of that setting and had no idea of the post chair’s unsuitability….and another post chair had a member from a different post in a different district sign theirs. I sure hope all goes well with THAT program chair”
So…
Considering not only, and most importantly, the potential for harm to others, but also the requisite consequences for lack of due diligence by failing to do such a minimal screening to help protect others from harm, I feel that printed cards are a GREAT idea, but that they should be validated by the signature of a knowledgeable and ACCOUNTABLE officer of the cardholder’s current post.
Additionally, if the cardholder has recently changed posts, the concurrence of a knowledgeable and accountable officer of the cardholder’s PREVIOUS post should be required, as well.
This is the LEAST we can do as an act of due diligence (and a pretty low-bar one!) for the safety of the participants of our programs, especially those that involve minor-age youth. (We’ve certainly experienced undesirable, criminal, or even harmful acts that a drifting and unknown member who “post hops” can do)
and last…
What does it say about US to our communities’ parents who have entrusted us with their most precious and cherished, as well as our communities’ educators, law enforcement officers, social workers and program leaders in other organizations if we can’t even be bothered to do THIS?
As the oldest and largest veterans service organization, one would hope, if not assume, that our leaders would take pride in leading from the front in this matter as they do with pride in so many other matters in our service to our communities.
This is such a wonderful example of how helpful a revitalization with added information and resources can be to so many!
and that last paragraph…! 🇺🇸
Thank you, Howard!
“The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge, as veterans in service to community, state and nation”
…