World War I veterans founded The American The American Legion also has national and Legion (TAL) in 1919 to assist their fellow local programs to provide temporary financial disabled veterans and their families and to assistance to veterans and their families. Our maintain a strong national defense. This Family Support Network helps families of concept of service has been expanded over the deployed servicemembers. Other programs years to include programs involving veterans’ focus on education, safety, drug awareness, employment assistance, family, community, and scouting, baseball, volunteerism, oratorical patriotic values. These services are funded from competition, Boys and Girls State, and the flag. the dues of our 2.8 million wartime veteran Current American Legion priorities: There is something for everyone. members, many of whom are still on active  Increased military pay and concurrent duty. With over one million members of The receipt of military longevity The American Legion is available to provide American Legion Auxiliary and a quarter of a retirement and VA disability comp. you with information on all VA benefit million members of the Sons of The American  Better military housing programs as well as direct, professional no- Legion, TAL Family is over 4 million strong.  Military readiness issues cost, assistance in filing any VA benefit claim, Numbers are important in the fight to maintain a  Needed improvements in TRICARE including VA medical care. You should be strong national defense and to protect and and VA medical care aware that the VA claims process is not always improve veterans’ benefits.  Provide VA disability benefits and “user-friendly” and mistakes happen. It is

health care for veterans with Hepatitis important that you have representation so you C, radiation, diabetes related to Agent can receive all the benefits to which you are Orange, and Gulf War illnesses entitled.  Flag protection  Annual benefits (i.e. COLAs) Our assistance will be available to you, whether  Restore veterans’ right to you remain in this area or move away after compensation for tobacco-related service. American Legion representatives are illnesses located at each of the 58 VA regional offices Over the last 80 years, The American Legion  Employment services and transition and the names and addresses are available has had a major influence on the course of assistance for veterans and for active through the Legion’s website www.legion.org American history. One of the most significant duty personnel or by contacting our DC office at 1608 K achievements was the development and  Improved Montgomery GI Bill Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) enactment of the original 1944 GI Bill for education benefits 861-2700 or VA’s homepage www.va.gov. World War II veterans. This legislation has helped make the United States the economic The American Legion is actively involved power it is today. Over many years, The with members of congress to further the As an honorably discharged veteran, you are American Legion successfully fought to priorities of the organization. Your eligible to receive employment assistance improve veterans’ health care, seek influence can be extremely important to the through the Department of Labor’s – Veterans’ compensation for the victims of Agent Orange, ultimate enactment of successful legislation. Employment and Training Service (VETS). radiation exposure, undiagnosed Gulf War We urge you to join with The American This program identifies large and small veteran’s illnesses, and for the passage of the Legion and make personal contact with your employees in many geographic locations. recent Veterans’ Claims Assistance Act of 2000 legislators by mail, phone, fax, and email to Check with your local state employment to improve the way VA handles veterans’ improve veterans’ services and benefit service office for information on veterans’ benefit claims. programs. employment opportunities. If you are enrolled in the Montgomery GI Bill Membership in The American Legion is not a (MGIB) program, you are eligible to use your requirement for TAL to assist anyone. These education benefit for transition to civilian benefits are a result of our many members. If THE occupations. The passage of Public Law 106- you’re interested in helping and meet the 419, The Veterans’ and Dependents eligibility requirements, we would be honored Millennium Education Act, expands veterans’ to have you as a member. Contact any Legion AMERICAN benefits under the MGIB to include member, or visit or call the Legion post in your reimbursement of certification and licensure neighborhood, or write or call our National costs up to $2,000. Check with your VA Headquarters today. LEGION education representative or with the state (317) 630-1321 www.legion.org veterans’ employment representative for more ______information on this subject. You can also Local Contact: access additional information on licensure and certification of military occupations by Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post 1 searching the above items related items on the 5400 E. Yale Ave. World Wide Web. Denver, CO 80222-6905 Office: 303-757-1919 Lounge: 303-756-8922 Website: www.lcwpost1.org

Who We Are The Internet provides many veteran specific Web sites to provide additional assistance and information. Some of these are: What We Have Done http://www.corpscareers.tv/main.htm – Large database of jobs run by veterans for veterans www.dmdc.osd.mil/tbb – Defense Transition Bulletin Board What We Can Do For www.taonline.com – Transition Assistance Online You www.military.com – One stop military info site www.dmdc.osd.mil/ot – Defense Outplacement Referral System Feb 07 www.legion.org