FEBRUARY 1, 2012
American Legion Posts to help Phoenix Community
INDIANAPOLIS – Wartime veterans of Phoenix have an outlet through which to serve the community. The American Legion, the nation’s largest veteran’s service organization, is inviting all wartime era veterans in the area to join them in expanding American Legion posts to provide service to the community and veterans of Phoenix.
Officers and staff members of the Indianapolis-based American Legion National Headquarters and Phoenix-based state headquarters along with local post members will be in town to kick off this community and veteran service campaign, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 8. National Staff and the Phoenix-based state headquarters will be holding an Organizational Meeting at the Arizona American Legion Headquarters located at 4701 N. 19th Ave., Suite 200, Phoenix at 1 p.m. We encourage legionnaires to come out for this meeting.
We invite all wartime veterans in this area to visit us at the Mesa American Legion Post 26 located at 505 W. 2nd Ave., on Friday, Feb. 10 from 5-7 p.m. or at the Glendale American Legion Post 29 located at 6822 N. 57th Drive on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 5 – 7 p.m. An Arizona American Legion Service Officer will also be available for all area veterans with claims or other veteran-related questions during these times.
Membership and veteran information will be available daily on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mesa Post 26 located at 505 W. 2nd Ave. and at the Glendale American Legion Post No. 29 located at 6822 N. 57th Drive. The Service Officer will only be available for Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 – 7 p.m.
In keeping with the 92-year tradition of The American Legion, the rejuvenated American Legion Posts in the Phoenix area will focus on community service and assistance to veterans. The scope and nature of the posts’ community service will be determined by its members and input from local civic and community officials.
Since its inception in 1919, The American Legion has been a key advocate for veterans’ benefits, children & youth, patriotic American values, a strong national defense and quality-of-life issues for those serving in today’s armed forces.
The organization, which spearheaded the original GI Bill, has been advocating reform of the veteran’s health care system under its GI Bill of Health. Creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the agency’s ascent to cabinet-level status is due in part to The American Legion’s advocacy. It was also instrumental in the establishment of the Veterans Home Loan, veterans hiring preference and just compensation to veterans suffering from illnesses related to their military service, including those whose ailments stem from exposure to Agent Orange and mysterious Persian Gulf origins.
Equally aggressive are The American Legion’s efforts to instill values in young people through numerous programs, including American Legion Arizona Boys State, American Legion Boys Nation, Junior Shooting Sports, the National High School Oratorical Contest, American Legion Baseball, Teenage Suicide Prevention, Child Health and a McGruff Safe Kids Program. The American Legion has supported Scouting since 1919. Many American Legion posts also support Junior ROTC high school units, fund-raising for handicapped children, and partnerships with other nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics.
