IT's WHO WE ARE' Brigades of Their Own As Michael Peterson DVD Set Promised
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NATIONAL SECURITY Morin calls recent rhetoric 'Operation Turncoat' “Operation Turncoat” is how the leader of The American Legion describes the rhetoric coming from some of the nation’s leading lawmakers concerning the troop surge and question of withdrawal from Iraq. “Violence is down in two key areas where the ‘surge’ is NATIONAL CONVENTION focused - Baghdad and Anbar,” National Commander Paul A. Morin said. “Also, the Iraqis have provided three trained IT'S WHO WE ARE' brigades of their own as Michael Peterson DVD set promised. Eight of the 18 bench¬ to debut American Legion marks are showing progress. It’s too early to measure the other Legacy Scholarship fundraiser benchmarks before September. at national convention. “All this talk on Capitol Hill about ‘responsible redeploy¬ By Steve Brooks ment’ is nothing more than irresponsible political rhetoric,” When country music he continued. “Congress should entertainer Michael be more concerned with victory Peterson and The American in Iraq than defeat in their home Legion partnered up earlier this states and districts next year. year in a fund-raising effort for They were elected to make tough The American Legion Legacy decisions to protect America, Scholarship Fund, Peterson’s not their political careers. initial vision was to produce a “This movement to withdraw DVD that featured his vocal our troops, before they’ve had tribute to the world’s largest the chance to finish the mission veterans organization, his new they are well capable of finish¬ song, “It’s Who We Are.” ing, amounts to an impatient But in the six months since DVD and to autograph copies. Legionnaires in action over the a lot of supporting visuals and political media stunt I’d call then, Peterson’s project has “But as we began to discuss years - the DVD also includes a stories to make it a compelling ‘Operation Turncoat.’ Some turned into something much possibilities, we realized, ‘Wow, special feature titled “What is invitation.” benchmarks have been met, and bigger than a music video. we could essentially create a The American Legion?” It Another special feature some aspects of the ‘surge’ are “It’s Who We Are” still more impactful piece that has a explains the four pillars of The explains The American Legion working but have been little- contains a video of Peterson’s bunch of different facets. The American Legion and includes Legacy Scholarship and includes reported by the media.” song, but the DVD - which will vision for the DVD has been interviews with such spokesper¬ interviews with various celebri¬ The American Legion be available at the 89th National fulfilled. The vision was to allow sons as actor and Legionnaire R. ties and Legionnaires, along with believes that Congress is ill- Convention in Reno - also any Legionnaire to simply hit Lee Ermey and retired Gen. another section that includes suited to micromanage the war, includes enough special features ‘play’ and show it to any audi¬ Richard Myers, former chairman public-service announcements and it should leave battlefield to serve as a dynamic member¬ ence. Give them a broader of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. about how to donate to the and strategy decisions to the ship tool for any American understanding, in a way that’s Viewers will also gain a better scholarship fund. commander in chief and his Legion post. In addition, 50 highly inviting, of what’s going understanding of how The The DVD also contains field commanders. percent of profits from DVD on with The American Legion. American Legion’s many information about how to join “Give the troop surge a sales will go to The American To be entertaining, inspirational, programs benefit a broad range The American Legion and chance to succeed,” Morin said. Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, and highly informational. That of Americans. contact information for ordering “They just got there last month. which provides college money was the target, and I think we’ve “A number of people I “It’s Who We Are.” Congress must allow the troops for the children of U.S. service- accomplished that in a way that’s interviewed said they hadn’t National Commander Paul A. a chance to stabilize an unstable members killed on or after Sept. also connected to a higher joined The American Legion Morin has stressed the four region, especially after having 11,2001. purpose: raising awareness, until somebody asked them,” pillars of The American Legion just voted two months ago to “When it started off, it was helping recruiting and raising Peterson said. “It’s as simple as during his tenure. “It’s Who We continue the war. Personally, I just going to be a song, the ‘It’s funds for the American Legacy just asking somebody. In this Are” touches on all four pillars think our troops will get the job Who We Are’ song, which was Scholarship.” package we’ve put together, and can serve as both a teaching done if we will just let them do written for the national conven¬ In addition to the video that there’s actually a beautiful and membership tool about and it.” tion last year,” said Peterson, who accompanies Peterson’s song - invitation: ‘Come join The will be in Reno to promote the featuring patriotic images and American Legion.’ I think there’s See Petersonon Page 3 See Turncoaton Page 3 THE AMERICAN LEGION P.O. BOX 1055-INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206 * 2 IDispatch 8 JULY 20,2007 COMMANDER’S MESSAGE PLANNER JULY The foundation of who we are and all we do 20- 28 American Legion Since I took the oath as national com¬ Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Boys Nation, mander of The American Legion, I’ve tried Steve Buyer, R-Ind., changed the date of our National Commander Paul A. Morin issued the to emphasize at every stop I’ve made - and testimony and reduced our time in front of Washington following statement following the July 17 I’ve made hundreds, including visits to all his committee. By shifting the hearing to announcement of the resignation of Secretary of 21- 28 Auxiliary Girls 55 departments - that the way to make this February, his committee and the White Veterans Affairs James Nicholson: organization thrive is by going “back to the House had very little time to review our Nation, Washington "The American Legion wishes I/A Secretary Jim basics.” That’s not a recommendations. Nicholson weil in his future endeavors. We thank him AUGUST simple cliche. It’s This was unacceptable. Thanks mainly for his service both as a U.S. Army veteran and for his what I believe. to grassroots lobbying, it’s no longer an 2-4 National leadership as head of the nation's largest health-care Sometimes we issue. This September, the next national system. We look forward to working with his successor Membership complicate things and commander will testify before both on continuing to improve health benefits and services Workshop, get caught up in red committees at the same time. There, our to America's veterans." Indianapolis tape and bureaucracy. message will be loud and clear: America’s Keeping things basic, veterans deserve the best possible health 2-4 DSO School, we’re able to go back care, and that care should not be rationed Indianapolis to perform the for the sake of dollars. supported our causes in the past, and I have 7 Purple Heart Day mission of The no doubt you’ll be behind this one, too. American Legion, laid National Security. While we continue to 7-12 17th Annual out 88 years ago by lobby Congress for better pay for our Americanism. When the flag amendment Junior Shooting our founders. servicemembers, that’s not the only part of was defeated last summer, some thought Sports National One of the ways I’ve tried to go back to national security. Local troop-support we’d abandon the cause. But Legionnaires the basics has been refocusing on the efforts all across the country this year have are already back on the phones, calling their Championships, foundation of our organization. The again been phenomenal. Posts have sent senators and representatives, urging them to Colorado Springs American Legion was built upon four thousands of packages to our deployed renew the fight. An amendment has once 16-20 American Legion pillars: Veterans Affairs 8c Rehabilitation, soldiers and sailors. Minnesota Legion¬ again been introduced in the House. We’ve Baseball Regional National Security, Americanism, and naires provided GPS units to National also been able to count on your support in Children 8c Youth. Much of what we do falls Guardsmen stationed in Iraq. Members of reintroducing the Public Expression of Tournaments into one of these four categories. I’ve been The American Legion Riders have attended Religion Act, PERA, in Congress. American 24-30 The American witness to that during my travels as national funerals for our fallen servicemembers. values are under attack by the American Legion National commander. Whatever it takes, Legionnaires show our Civil Liberties Union and others, and it’s our military men and women, and their job as an organization to defend the Boy Convention, Reno Veterans Affairs 8c Rehabilitation. One of families, that we support them as they Scouts, the Pledge of Allegiance and hun¬ 24-30 American the things I’m most proud of this year is that sacrifice to preserve our way of life. dreds of memorials across the nation Legion Auxiliary Congress has reinstituted the joint hearings Operation Landstuhl, which has a goal of besieged by the ACLU and others. We are, Convention, Reno of veterans service organizations in front of raising $50,000 by next month’s national after all, “for God and Country.” both the House and Senate Veterans Affairs convention in Reno to purchase comfort 24-26 SAL National committees.