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American Legion
CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 Clarksville, TN |
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American Legion Mission Statement
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with "comfort items" and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with "comfort items" and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
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November 11. 2019 Veterans Day
PRAYER REQUEST:
Please remember that our prayer list may include our comrades as well as their families!
Ernie & Dawn Schmidt, Carmen & Fae Cherry, Jerry & Betty Colbert
Please remember that our prayer list may include our comrades as well as their families!
Ernie & Dawn Schmidt, Carmen & Fae Cherry, Jerry & Betty Colbert
Great News for ALL Veterans
Eleven things you need to know about the LEGION Act (From Legion.Org)
The LEGION Act - Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act — also redefines The American Legion’s membership eligibility dates. The eligibility now span from Dec. 7, 1941, until a time when the U.S. is no longer at war, as determined by Congress.
Here are answers to 11 key questions about the new law and what it means for The American Legion.
Question: How does this change the eligibility requirements for The American Legion?
Answer: The only change is that Congress has reduced the number of eligibility periods from seven to two. They are April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941, and continuing. No other restrictions are changed.
Question: What’s the impact on veterans who previously were not eligible for American Legion membership?
Answer: Veterans who were honorably discharged but whose service did not fall into the previous defined war eras may now join The American Legion immediately. To do so, eligible members may sign up at www.legion.org/join.
Question: I am among the veterans who were not allowed to join previously, so why do you want me now?
Answer: The American Legion’s founding fathers believed, “a veteran is a veteran,” an axiom that has held true throughout the organization’s more than century of service. Some veterans were ineligible to join because of the war eras that were defined by Congress. The recent bill passage and president’s signature changed that.
Question: So how does this differentiate The American Legion from AMVETS?
Answer: The American Legion’s eligibility criteria states that veterans must have served during “wartime.” When Congress decides the U.S. is no longer in a state of war, the Legion’s membership eligibility period will close, while AMVETS will still be open to those who served.
Question: How does this affect the Sons of The American Legion (SAL)?
Answer: The Sons’ eligibility criteria will change along with that of The American Legion. Any son or grandson of a living American Legion member will be able to join the SAL program. (Sons and grandsons of deceased veterans are also eligible.) For example, a son of a veteran who served between 1985 and 1988 previously would not have been eligible. With the extension of the war period, that veteran would immediately be eligible for The American Legion and the son would be able to join the SAL.
Question: How does this affect the eligibility for the American Legion Auxiliary?
Answer: This follows the same concept as the SAL, as noted previously. Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is currently open to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives, and adopted female descendants of eligible veterans.
Question: How does this affect membership for departments, districts and posts?
Answer: This change opens up American Legion membership to thousands more veterans who likely live in your communities. They may become members immediately.
Question: The current membership applications don’t address the eligibility change. How do we process those members?
Answer: New membership materials will be developed and provided as quickly as possible. Until then, it is recommended that prospective members from a previously undocumented war era write “Other Conflicts” in the eligibility date section and send it in to their department with the appropriate dues.
Question: What steps should departments, districts and posts focus on?
Answer: A good first step would be to review all recruiting materials to look for eligibility dates. Information on electronic media (websites, social media channels, etc.) should be changed immediately. It is up to departments to decide on the best way to handle printed materials, while updated ones are being produced.
Question: How does this change the Paid Up For Life program?
Answer: There are no changes to the PUFL program, though the newly eligible members would be able to become PUFLs. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.legion.org/PUFL
Question: Who can I contact for more information about this change as it applies to membership and recruiting?
Answer: Contact the national Membership Division. Visit this web page to find the representative in your state. https://www.legion.org/membership/contactus.
The LEGION Act - Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act — also redefines The American Legion’s membership eligibility dates. The eligibility now span from Dec. 7, 1941, until a time when the U.S. is no longer at war, as determined by Congress.
Here are answers to 11 key questions about the new law and what it means for The American Legion.
Question: How does this change the eligibility requirements for The American Legion?
Answer: The only change is that Congress has reduced the number of eligibility periods from seven to two. They are April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941, and continuing. No other restrictions are changed.
Question: What’s the impact on veterans who previously were not eligible for American Legion membership?
Answer: Veterans who were honorably discharged but whose service did not fall into the previous defined war eras may now join The American Legion immediately. To do so, eligible members may sign up at www.legion.org/join.
Question: I am among the veterans who were not allowed to join previously, so why do you want me now?
Answer: The American Legion’s founding fathers believed, “a veteran is a veteran,” an axiom that has held true throughout the organization’s more than century of service. Some veterans were ineligible to join because of the war eras that were defined by Congress. The recent bill passage and president’s signature changed that.
Question: So how does this differentiate The American Legion from AMVETS?
Answer: The American Legion’s eligibility criteria states that veterans must have served during “wartime.” When Congress decides the U.S. is no longer in a state of war, the Legion’s membership eligibility period will close, while AMVETS will still be open to those who served.
Question: How does this affect the Sons of The American Legion (SAL)?
Answer: The Sons’ eligibility criteria will change along with that of The American Legion. Any son or grandson of a living American Legion member will be able to join the SAL program. (Sons and grandsons of deceased veterans are also eligible.) For example, a son of a veteran who served between 1985 and 1988 previously would not have been eligible. With the extension of the war period, that veteran would immediately be eligible for The American Legion and the son would be able to join the SAL.
Question: How does this affect the eligibility for the American Legion Auxiliary?
Answer: This follows the same concept as the SAL, as noted previously. Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is currently open to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives, and adopted female descendants of eligible veterans.
Question: How does this affect membership for departments, districts and posts?
Answer: This change opens up American Legion membership to thousands more veterans who likely live in your communities. They may become members immediately.
Question: The current membership applications don’t address the eligibility change. How do we process those members?
Answer: New membership materials will be developed and provided as quickly as possible. Until then, it is recommended that prospective members from a previously undocumented war era write “Other Conflicts” in the eligibility date section and send it in to their department with the appropriate dues.
Question: What steps should departments, districts and posts focus on?
Answer: A good first step would be to review all recruiting materials to look for eligibility dates. Information on electronic media (websites, social media channels, etc.) should be changed immediately. It is up to departments to decide on the best way to handle printed materials, while updated ones are being produced.
Question: How does this change the Paid Up For Life program?
Answer: There are no changes to the PUFL program, though the newly eligible members would be able to become PUFLs. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.legion.org/PUFL
Question: Who can I contact for more information about this change as it applies to membership and recruiting?
Answer: Contact the national Membership Division. Visit this web page to find the representative in your state. https://www.legion.org/membership/contactus.
Do you know the number to the Suicide Hotline? (800) 273-8255
Suicide is a national public health issue. Veterans are among higher risk groups, but suicide affects all Americans, which is why VA and The American Legion are working together to adopt a public health approach to suicide prevention. The public health approach looks beyond the individual to involve peers, family members and the community in preventing suicide. Preventing veteran suicide is a top priority for VA, but they need help from dedicated partners like the American Legion Family to reach veterans outside the VA health-care system. This is just an excerpt from National Commander Brett Reistad. To read the complete article click this link: https://www.legion.org/commander/245458/legion-va-team-approach-suicide-prevention
Suicide is a national public health issue. Veterans are among higher risk groups, but suicide affects all Americans, which is why VA and The American Legion are working together to adopt a public health approach to suicide prevention. The public health approach looks beyond the individual to involve peers, family members and the community in preventing suicide. Preventing veteran suicide is a top priority for VA, but they need help from dedicated partners like the American Legion Family to reach veterans outside the VA health-care system. This is just an excerpt from National Commander Brett Reistad. To read the complete article click this link: https://www.legion.org/commander/245458/legion-va-team-approach-suicide-prevention
JULY IS THE BEGINNING OF OUR YEAR AND IT'S TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!!!
CLICK THE LINK "JOIN NOW" BELOW TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ON LINE.
CLICK THE LINK "JOIN NOW" BELOW TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ON LINE.
Why you should join! Together, We Make a Difference
The American Legion provides life-changing assistance and guidance for veterans, military personnel, their families and communities in thousands of ways every day around the world. Help comes in the form of personal assistance, cash grants, donated goods, disaster relief, labor, networking, volunteerism and advocacy.
The American Legion provides life-changing assistance and guidance for veterans, military personnel, their families and communities in thousands of ways every day around the world. Help comes in the form of personal assistance, cash grants, donated goods, disaster relief, labor, networking, volunteerism and advocacy.
Want to donate, join or renew your Membership Dues for 2019? You can now do this online. Click the Post 289 Store button below.
American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp, Post 289 Family Album
We are building a “family album” of our legionnaires. We are asking that all members submit a Brief bio of yourself to be added to the book.
Please include the following:
Send to: americanlegion.post289adjutant@gmail.com or to P.O. Box 2641 Clarksville, TN 37042 or Bob Grigsby. Bob.grigsby62@gmail.com.
We are building a “family album” of our legionnaires. We are asking that all members submit a Brief bio of yourself to be added to the book.
Please include the following:
- Branch of service(s), service periods,
- Immediate family(i.e. Spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.)
- Military highest rank, & highest award
- Military history to include, any significant units, accomplishments
- American Legion history, (how long you’ve been in, posts you’ve been in, positions you held).
- Personal history, who are you what are your hobbies.
- Please add a picture of you “then” and “now” or somewhat recent.
Send to: americanlegion.post289adjutant@gmail.com or to P.O. Box 2641 Clarksville, TN 37042 or Bob Grigsby. Bob.grigsby62@gmail.com.
Legion Care Accidental
Did you know that your members can easily enroll online for the LegionCare Accidental Death coverage on any web enabled device including your smart phone.
Here’s how to do it:
And then, you’ll have no cost accidental death coverage for $1,000. In the case of an accidental death while on Legion Family business, the amount is $5,000. (Except in Washington state in which the benefit is $2,500 for all covered accidental deaths. You will never pay for this coverage and it is good for as long as you remain a dues paying member in the Legion Family organizations.
Please read all details on the website, www.theLIT.com.
Did you know that your members can easily enroll online for the LegionCare Accidental Death coverage on any web enabled device including your smart phone.
Here’s how to do it:
- Set your web browser to www.theLIT.com/LegionCare1
- Click “Sign Up Now.”
- Enter the required information.
- A few clicks and you’re all done. When you provide your email address, you will get instant confirmation in your inbox.
And then, you’ll have no cost accidental death coverage for $1,000. In the case of an accidental death while on Legion Family business, the amount is $5,000. (Except in Washington state in which the benefit is $2,500 for all covered accidental deaths. You will never pay for this coverage and it is good for as long as you remain a dues paying member in the Legion Family organizations.
Please read all details on the website, www.theLIT.com.
American Legion Salutes VA Policy-Change as Victory for Religious Freedom
(INDIANAPOLIS, July 3, 2019) -- “A perfect affirmation for Independence Day,” is how American Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad summed up the news that VA would be more welcoming of religious literature, symbols and displays at all of its facilities.
“This is a direct result of our recent Supreme Court victory in The American Legion v. American Humanist Association,” Reistad said. “That case involved far more than a cross in Bladensburg, Md. It involved the cherished right for people to exercise their faith without government overbearance. VA promises that it will continue to respect and tolerate differing views, but at the same time the department makes clear that religious liberty at VA is once again protected. We welcome the announcement by VA Secretary Robert Wilkie for bringing needed clarity on this issue. Some groups may not approve but the Supreme Court spoke loudly with a 7-2 favorable ruling.”
With a current membership of nearly two million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, patriotic youth programs and Americanism. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts worldwide. From the drafting of the original GI Bill to the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion is the most influential voice for America’s veterans. The American Legion, www.legion.org, will be celebrating its centennial through Veterans Day.
(INDIANAPOLIS, July 3, 2019) -- “A perfect affirmation for Independence Day,” is how American Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad summed up the news that VA would be more welcoming of religious literature, symbols and displays at all of its facilities.
“This is a direct result of our recent Supreme Court victory in The American Legion v. American Humanist Association,” Reistad said. “That case involved far more than a cross in Bladensburg, Md. It involved the cherished right for people to exercise their faith without government overbearance. VA promises that it will continue to respect and tolerate differing views, but at the same time the department makes clear that religious liberty at VA is once again protected. We welcome the announcement by VA Secretary Robert Wilkie for bringing needed clarity on this issue. Some groups may not approve but the Supreme Court spoke loudly with a 7-2 favorable ruling.”
With a current membership of nearly two million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, patriotic youth programs and Americanism. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts worldwide. From the drafting of the original GI Bill to the creation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion is the most influential voice for America’s veterans. The American Legion, www.legion.org, will be celebrating its centennial through Veterans Day.
2019 - 2020 Officers
