The American Legion Department of Colorado Blog

Through January of 2012, Department of New York Commander Mike Bowen had brought 51 members to The American Legion, spanning several states and nearly 20 posts. Two years ago, Bowen signed up nearly 70 members.

Bowen’s membership strategy is as basic as it gets, but it works. He identifies the veteran and then finds out what he or she needs. More often than not, The American Legion can fill that need.

The 43-year member of Warner-Van Riper Post 435 in Waterloo, N.Y., also makes it easy to join. Bowen’s department commander business cards have a Legion application printed on the back.

Bowen, a member of the National Membership & Post Activities Committee, talked about his approach to membership.

Q: Why have you stayed in The American Legion for 43 years?

A: Because of service to the veterans. Veterans are what make this country work. Being to able to serve them and their needs kept the interest growing all the time.

Q: Are the services that The American Legion provides something that you use when you are recruiting members?

A: One of the main things – especially with the younger generation of veterans right now – is their need for veterans benefits. I probably promote the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the benefits it has for themselves and their families. Their interest seems to be intrigued. I’ve had them thank me for that. I’ve also just signed up an Iraq vetera, 26 years old, and he was enrolled in the VA system at the hospital and had never been asked to join The American Legion. I spoke with him, told him about the benefits and the fact the VA system and the GI Bill were both supported and developed by The American Legion. He joined up immediately, and he’s got five more friends who he’s going to let know (about the Legion) and hopefully get them in the same post he’s in.

That’s what they want to know. They want to know “What’s in it for me?” – what we can do for them. I go by the four pillars all the way around, everything that we do.

Q: They say this generation of veterans are not joiners, but if you tell them what the Legion does, they will join, won’t they?

A: That’s correct. One of the biggest points that I tell them is that being the largest advocate for veterans’ rights, when you turn that into votes for the politicians – the Senate, the House – they listen to us when we ask for things for the veterans. And numbers count. That’s probably the No. 2 reason they join. They believe if they join, the greater number we have within the Legion, the more benefits and more services we’ll get for the veterans and their families.

Q: How long are you going to be selling The American Legion?

A: The rest of my life.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today a change in regulations regarding payments for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans in non-VA facilities.

“This provision helps ensure eligible Veterans continue to get the emergency care they need when VA facilities are not available,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

The new regulation extends VA’s authority to pay for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans at non-VA facilities until the Veterans can be safely transferred to a VA medical facility.

More than 100,000 Veterans are estimated to be affected by the new rules, at a cost of about $44 million annually.

VA operates 121 emergency departments across the country, which provide resuscitative therapy and stabilization in life-threatening situations. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VA also has 46 urgent care units, which provide care for patients without scheduled appointments who need immediate medical or psychiatric attention.

For more information about emergency care in non-VA facilities, visit www.nonvacare.va.gov.

By: June Walbert

Nothing tops experience as a means of learning. And the global financial challenges plaguing us for the past few years have certainly offered plenty of lessons, none more fundamental than the importance of saving money in an emergency fund. Setting aside cash is not a luxury; it’s a necessity in today’s economic environment. High unemployment continues, with no sign of easing. If you had to go without a paycheck, would you be ready?

For many Americans, saving money in an emergency fund has made the difference between financially sinking and staying afloat. Many more have been caught short, unable to make ends meet, in part for lack of this critical component in their financial plan. A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that half of Americans would struggle to come up with $2,000 for an unexpected expense.

Ordinarily, I recommend that this stash cover three to six months of living expenses. But if you think a pink slip could be coming your way, it probably makes sense to have nine to 12 months of cash set aside, given today’s job outlook. I suspect to many of you, nine to 12 months of cash in the bank seems like a bridge too far. Not so fast! It may not happen overnight, but it definitely isn’t possible unless you get started. Below, I’ve mapped out some ideas on how I could scrape together $1,000 in 30 days – a good start to saving money:

Brown-bag it

Dining out for lunch typically runs about $8. If I take my lunch to work and eat at home on the weekends, I cut costs to about $2 per day. Savings = $180

Brew my own joe

I grind my own organic coffee beans every morning and bring a cup to work. This costs me 50 cents per day. A cup of java at a coffee shop costs about $3. Savings = $75

Tap the tap

Bottled water costs anywhere from $1.50 to $5. If I do buy bottled water, I choose the lower-end variety because I’m a cheapskate. Instead of purchasing three bottles per day, I drink tap water. Savings = $135

Going to the dog wash

I have two German shepherds and a border collie. They like my shower as much as I do. Clean the dogs at home once a month instead of taking them to the groomer. Savings = $200

Skip the car wash

Once a month, I wash my car in the driveway and turn off the water when it’s not in use (kind of like taking a Navy shower). Savings = $20

Lose the landline

The average cost for a home phone is about $50. I dropped mine and only use my cell phone. Savings = $50

Get my news online

Drop the local daily newspaper. Savings = $15

DIY pedicure

Instead of paying someone else each time, do it yourself. I do. Savings = $50 (at least)

In the weeds

The commercial company that sprays my lawn charges $75 per month. I can put up with a few weeds at that price and save money. Savings = $75

Ditch the satellite radio

The local DJs need love, too. Savings = $30

Streamline the cable package

Skip the premium channels. I don’t miss them a bit. Savings = $85

Iron(ing) is good for you

I iron four blouses per month instead of taking them to the cleaners. Savings = $20 (Question: Why does a woman’s blouse cost so much more to iron than a man’s shirt?)

Trim dining out

Imagine an enjoyable evening out with friends … wine, an appetizer and a nice dinner. That’s about $65. I forgo that pleasure once a month and cook instead. Savings = $65

Snap! I’ve saved $1,000. I’ve upped my to-do list, but a little yardwork, nail-painting and ironing never hurt anybody.

To add to my savings, I ask for military discounts (don’t be shy; they can be significant), and I might consider saving money by dropping my gym membership (I can do push-ups, sit-ups, and run/power-walk anywhere). Plus, about every two months, I highlight my own hair to save another $100 to $125.

Your spending habits may be a bit different from mine, but everyone can come up with their own ways to save money. Here are just a few more ideas: shop for groceries with a list; buy in bulk; use generic products; avoid paying ATM fees and bank charges; check out movies and books at the library; or set your thermostat higher. Where can you cut back? Start building your fallback fund today.

This article was originally written for The Motley Fool.

As 2012 gets under way, American Legion posts are encouraged to visit local schools to promote and award the School Award Medal Program.

The award is given to a boy and a girl in the graduating classes of elementary school, junior and senior high school, and college who uphold the ideals of Americanism and exemplify six qualities: courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service. Each recipient is presented with a certificate and a medal featuring the six qualities.

Additionally, each year the department with the strongest involvement in the use of the School Award Medal Program earns the Ralph T. O’Neil Education Trophy, named in honor of the Legion’s 1930 national commander. The 2011 recipient was the Department of Maryland, whose 147 posts statewide awarded a total of 1,363 medals.

“We try to get our foot in the door at our local schools by making direct contact with teachers and guidance counselors,” said Steve Tatro, adjutant of Calvert Post 85 in Huntingtown, Md. “We educate faculty about the award program, which too opens the lines of communication for the Legion’s other youth programs, such as Boys State and the Oratorical contest.

“And receiving the trophy showed us at the post level that we are on the right track when it comes to supporting our youth and ensuring a brighter future for them.”

Review the School Award Medal brochure to learn more about the program’s specifications and expectations.

After a six-year partnership, Team Johnson Motorsports and The American Legion parted way Dec. 31 after their contract expired.

“It has been a wonderful experience,” said Jerick Johnson, driver for the iconic American Legion/David Law Firm 76 Freedom Car. “Regardless where racing takes me, I will always cherish my years driving the Freedom Car.

“We at Team Johnson Motorsports have been privileged to carry The American Legion emblem on our race cars across the country and humbled by the grassroots support bestowed us by the Legion family from California to Virginia, Minnesota to Florida, and the many states between. It has been an awesome ride. I will miss it. We all will miss it.”

The decision to not ink a new contract was amicable and mutual, said car owner Jack Johnson.

“It takes money to field a competitive race car – “a lot of money,” Johnson said. “Our contract with The American Legion stipulated that we could use The American Legion Emblem for marketing purposes but that we would receive no other financial support from the national organization. Unfortunately, we were not able to continue to field a competitive race team within the confines of the contract.”

The race team and national Legion leadership agreed it was untenable to provide direct financial support to the Legion Racing program.

“We are the world’s largest veterans organization,” said Jack Querfeld, director of The American Legion Internal Affairs Division. “Our primary focus and responsibility is to support our nation’s veterans and their families.

“Jerick Johnson has been a powerful spokesman for The American Legion, and the racing program has introduced the Legion to thousands of race fans across the country. But from the beginning we knew we could not justify direct financial support to a racing program when our resources must focus on veterans’ issues.”

The Johnsons were perfect American Legion spokespersons, Querfeld said. “Jack is a Legionnaire, his wife, Debby, is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and Jerick is a Sons of The American Legion member,” he said. “They personify what is great about America and understand the challenges facing veterans. They have enthusiastically carried the Legion message to scores of communities and thousands of race fans across the country –“ for which we will forever be grateful.”

Team Johnson Motorsports is not leaving racing. Jerick Johnson will drive the POW/MIA Freedom Car during the 2012 season. Johnson is scheduled to compete in the 2012 Speedfest Jan. 27-29 at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga.

Team Johnson Motorsports will continue to serve veterans across the country with their POW/MIA Freedom Car National Tour.

“We have received a great amount of enthusiasm from our veteran supporters across the country and are excited to bring a new twist to the Freedom Car,” Jack Johnson said. “The POW/MIA cause is something that is very important to all veterans, and we will continue to show our support for those that have served our country –“ including Legion members –“ by carrying the POW/MIA logo on all of our race cars.”

The Johnsons also are taking applications for their startup school, Stock Car Tech, a nine-month hands-on curriculum to introduce students to the racing world and to give them skills to work for a race team and/or build, repair or setup their own race car.

The new 20,000 sq. ft. facility will give participants the equipment and ability to work hand-in-hand with the Team Johnson Motorsports Freedom Cars, said Jerick Johnson, who has also committed to helping young drivers pursue their careers in racing by giving driver development opportunities within Stock Car Tech.

Information regarding Stock Car Tech can be found at www.StockCarTech.net.

Legionnaires can keep up to date with results of future POW/MIA Freedom Car races and get information on how to schedule a Freedom Car appearance at www.freedomcar.org