As National Blood Donor Month, January is a crucial time for raising awareness for the need to give blood. That makes it a crucial time for The American Legion and its members as well.
Legionnaires everywhere are encouraged to give blood and host blood drives at posts as part of the American Legion Blood Donor Program – an organizational effort that has existed since 1946 to help a life-saving cause that becomes even more important during the harsh winter season. Last year, the Legion’s program officially brought in more than 17,500 pints from over 6,700 donors nationwide.
As it does at the start of each year, the American Association of Blood Banks uses January to draw awareness to the need for blood. It’s estimated that 39,000 units of red blood cells are used at hospitals and emergency care centers each day. That number grows, as the weather gets colder.
Legionnaires who are interested in donating or coordinating donation efforts at posts are encouraged to contact their community blood center, hospital blood bank or local medical doctors. Donors must be 17 years old in most states, though some states will allow 16-year-olds to participate with written permission from a parent. You must also weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health (meaning without infection or fever), not on antibiotics and generally feeling well on the day of donation.
Posts and departments that donate the most blood are honored at the national convention each year. Departments are separated into five categories, according to size, and are recognized in two areas: for post participation and individual Legionnaire participation. Post participation awards are given to departments with the highest number of participating posts. Individual participation awards are given to departments with the highest percentage of individuals giving blood.
The national commander presents both awards at the national convention. Winning departments receive certificates signed by the national commander and national adjutant.
Arriving in Washington D.C. on February 28th and staying through March 4th, members of the Colorado American Legion Family attended the National Legislative Conference, at the Regency Hotel, with trips to the Nation’s Capitol, the U.S. Department of State, other and important sites. The conference agenda included commission meetings, the Commander’s Call, legislative briefings and the annual trip to Capitol Hill to visit the Colorado Congressional Delegation regarding important issues affecting veterans and our families.The trip was a great success!
Commander Gar Williams organized Colorado Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion into three effective teams.Thanks to Elaine Bock, our teams were able to meet with each Colorado Congressional Delegate in a timely manner and hold productive meetings.The issues discussed included the proposed new VA Medical Center at Fitzsimons, Advanced Funding for the VA, the VA budget, the Global War on Terror, Support for our troops, the Disabled Veterans Tax, the Flag Amendment, and more.The Colorado Delegation welcomed our American Legion Family and were pleased to offer support for our positions. As a result of our trip, we are assisting newly-elected Representative Betsy Markey to form a Veteran Advisory Council. NEC Ralph Bozella was able to meet privately with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and hand him the White Paper Report stating Colorado veterans’ position of a stand-alone, full-service VA Medical Center that includes a VA Hospital, a Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Center, an Outpatient Center, and a VA Nursing Home. Immediately after our meeting with newly-appointed US Senator Michael Bennet, he sent a letter to Secretary Shinseki, asking him to support our position on the VA Medical Center.
Other highlights included Sons of The American Legion National Chaplain Rick Baldaserri and National Assistant Sgt.-At Arms Pete Sierminski as they attended ceremonies and placed wreaths at several war memorials and monuments. NEC Ralph Bozella attended a reception at the U.S. State Department.
Your Department leadership is looking forward to following up with the foundation laid at this conference, as we continue to build lasting positive relationships with our Congressional Delegation.Those attending the conference from Colorado were:Gar and LuAnn Williams, Frank McCurdy, Doug and Julie Wooddell, Brandt, Diane and Dee-Dee Erickson, Dee Haley, Pat Seranka, Pete and Candy Sierminski, Jim and Jo Stanko, Adjutant Pat Smith and Ralph Bozella.
By Ralph Bozella, Department NEC
Arriving in Washington D.C. on February 28th and staying through March 4th, members of the Colorado American Legion Family attended the National Legislative Conference, at the Regency Hotel, with trips to the Nation’s Capitol, the U.S. Department of State, other and important sites. The conference agenda included commission meetings, the Commander’s Call, legislative briefings and the annual trip to Capitol Hill to visit the Colorado Congressional Delegation regarding important issues affecting veterans and our families.The trip was a great success!
Commander Gar Williams organized Colorado Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion into three effective teams.Thanks to Elaine Bock, our teams were able to meet with each Colorado Congressional Delegate in a timely manner and hold productive meetings.The issues discussed included the proposed new VA Medical Center at Fitzsimons, Advanced Funding for the VA, the VA budget, the Global War on Terror, Support for our troops, the Disabled Veterans Tax, the Flag Amendment, and more.The Colorado Delegation welcomed our American Legion Family and were pleased to offer support for our positions. As a result of our trip, we are assisting newly-elected Representative Betsy Markey to form a Veteran Advisory Council. NEC Ralph Bozella was able to meet privately with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and hand him the White Paper Report stating Colorado veterans’ position of a stand-alone, full-service VA Medical Center that includes a VA Hospital, a Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Center, an Outpatient Center, and a VA Nursing Home. Immediately after our meeting with newly-appointed US Senator Michael Bennet, he sent a letter to Secretary Shinseki, asking him to support our position on the VA Medical Center.
Other highlights included Sons of The American Legion National Chaplain Rick Baldaserri and National Assistant Sgt.-At Arms Pete Sierminski as they attended ceremonies and placed wreaths at several war memorials and monuments. NEC Ralph Bozella attended a reception at the U.S. State Department.
Your Department leadership is looking forward to following up with the foundation laid at this conference, as we continue to build lasting positive relationships with our Congressional Delegation.Those attending the conference from Colorado were:Gar and LuAnn Williams, Frank McCurdy, Doug and Julie Wooddell, Brandt, Diane and Dee-Dee Erickson, Dee Haley, Pat Seranka, Pete and Candy Sierminski, Jim and Jo Stanko, Adjutant Pat Smith and Ralph Bozella.
