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 | American Legion Rider's 7th District Officer's |
| Resolution No. 35: American Legion Riders as a National Program |
 Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including their life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. |
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ALR Post 196 Officers :
Links Section
Director:
Dewey Long
Asst Director:
Charlie Whelchel
Secretary:
Randy Blake
Treasurer:
Missy Long
Sgt @ Arms:
Jr Blackmore
Membership Chairman:
Ray Dayhoff
Historian:
Toni Blackmore
Chaplain:
Jack Long
Run Coordinator:
Rick Thompson
Webmaster:
Charlie Whelchel
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The American Legion Riders
The American Legion Riders are members of the American Legion who are also motorcycle enthusiasts. They can be found participating in parades, partaking in motorcycling events, and supporting the communities in which they live, work, and play. Members of the ALR come from the Legion, the Legion Auxilliary, and the Sons of the American Legion. The American Legion Riders were formed...
...to participate in parades and other ceremonies that are in keeping with the Aims and Purposes of the American Legion.
...to promote motorcycle safety programs and to provide a social atmosphere for American Legion members who share the same interest.
...to use our Association to promote and support programs of the American Legion.
The American Legion Riders is not a M/C, and does not practice M/C rules or regulations. The American Legion Riders is family-oriented, just as is its parent organization: the American Legion. We, Your American Legion Riders ride for God and Country. The American Legion Family and Allied Veterans everywhere. Protect those that protect us. Amen.
WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed current limits. "We're pleased to be able to offer what has been called 'the best care anywhere' to many more new veterans," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "We'll be able to provide these newly enrolled veterans with the kind of timely, high quality health care veterans who already use our system are accustomed to." The change affects veterans whose incomes exceed the current VA means test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less. Congress provided funds in VA's fiscal year 2009 budget to support the new enrollment. In 1996, Congress established a priority-based enrollment system for VA and a uniform package of medical benefits for all enrollees. The legislation opened enrollment in VA's health care system to all eligible veterans and required that each year the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assess veterans' demand for services and determine if the necessary resources are available to provide timely, quality care to all enrollees. Enrollment for the lowest priority of the eight groups--veterans who are not being compensated for a military-related disability and who have incomes above a set threshold--was suspended on January 18, 2003, although veterans in that priority group who were already enrolled for care were permitted to remain enrolled. VA originally suspended enrollment for Priority 8 veterans because it was unable to provide all enrolled veterans with timely access to its health care due to a tremendous growth in the number of veterans then seeking enrollment. VA now plans to reopen enrollment for a portion of these veterans without compromising the Department's ability to provide high quality health care services to all enrolled veterans who are eligible for care. VA's computer systems are being modified to accommodate the changes, and the Department is preparing communication and education materials to ensure that Congress, veterans service organizations, and the public are aware of the coming changes. "The rule will take effect by June 30, 2009, if the regulatory process proceeds smoothly," Peake said. "We look forward to welcoming these newly eligible veterans into the VA system. VA will continue to monitor wait times to ensure the quality of care is not adversely affected."
Flag Burner Pilloried by Veterans September 28, 2009 Times Union, Albany, N.Y. VALLEY FALLS, N.Y. -- This is a red, white and blue village that is still seeing red after a flag that flew over Iraq was burned by a 21-year-old. The payback? He was publicly humiliated last Sunday by being duct-taped to the flagpole of Veterans of Foreign War 1938 say he desecrated Sept. 18. Nick Normile, post commander and Vietnam War veteran, said he's been flooded with calls from media outlets since the events of last week received attention from local TV stations and newspapers. He's been asked to go live on a veterans radio show program from Tennessee, another radio show from Chicago and even received a call from NBC studios in New York City. But Normile said he's not planning to let the story get any more attention and has declined appearances. "I'm not trying to be some martyr or hero," Normile said. "I just did what I thought was right." The 21-year-old appeared intoxicated when he entered the VFW post on the day of the alleged act, Normile said. When the man was refused service for not having a proper ID, he ran out in a fit of anger. He cut the rope of the flag, which had once flown over troops in Iraq, and ignited it with a cigarette lighter. Two days later, Normile said the man was forced to sit in the sun pilloried for six hours as townspeople gathered across the street for a youth soccer picnic. A sign was hung around his neck detailing what he had done. It recalled the Middle Ages punishment, subjecting him to public humiliation and scorn. "He'll never disrespect the flag again, I can tell you that," Normile said on Friday. A week later villagers were hush-hush about the event, but patrons of the post bar gave a nod of agreement to the punishment, pointing proudly to a newspaper clipping of the event on a bulletin board. Patriotism is on open display in this village of about 500, the walls of a defunct railroad bridge near it's entrance now brightly colored red, white and blue. Most of the historical homes have American flags of their own hanging from porches, some also adorned with the Don't Tread on Me flag, popular with Tea Party activists. Normile said once he found out what the man had done, he knew he had to be taught a lesson. Normile said he went out hunting for him, but when he couldn't find him at his apartment, he sought the help of the man's uncle to bring him out. "He manned up, he knew he had punishment coming, " said Normile, who described the young man he refused to identify as guilty and ashamed. "I told him to think about those kids in the foxhole, and how they had no one to set them free, " Normile said. "It got to him, so I was satisfied. He showed a lot of remorse, no attitude." Normile said the flag, whose pieces will be retired in a formal ceremony, had significant meaning. The villages auxiliary had been sending toiletries and other goods to Soldiers in Iraq, who then sent back the flag that had flown over their bunker. It was received with great attention and a ceremony. State troopers and Rensselaer County sheriffs deputies said no charges had been filed by either the VFW post or the man.
If you blinked, you could've missed it. With the media's obsession over Michael Jackson's death and Sotomayor's confirmation hearings plastered across cable news shows, an important story might have skipped your radar.
This week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress, released a stunning new report detailing significant barriers that many female veterans face in accessing healthcare at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Not just for policy wonks, this report should be required reading for every American. Some of the critical findings include:
* Privacy standards for women veterans at VA facilities aren't being met. The GAO found women's exam room tables that faced doors instead of walls, and instances where women patients had to walk through waiting rooms to use the restrooms, as opposed to next to the exam room as required by VA policy. Some hospitals under review also did not guarantee access to private and secure bathing areas or visual and auditory privacy at check-in.
* Comprehensive primary care is not available for women veterans at all hospitals and clinics. Despite its commitment 8 months ago, the VA has still not establish a deadline for facilities to meet its requirement of complete primary care and basic gender-specific services available to all women veterans by one provider at one site. Some VA officials were even unclear on the steps needed to implement this new plan. The availability of services for women veterans continues to vary by hospital and clinic.
* The VA still has shortages of qualified women's health and mental health care providers. The VA's ability to provide consistent and timely care to female vets is also being compromised by difficulties hiring providers that specialize in women's health and mental health. For the female veterans coming home from war everyday and those suffering from mental health injuries or who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma, these shortages could not come at a worse time.
But the GAO isn't the only one voicing concern. We recently asked female vets to share their experiences at the VA. And their responses were alarming:
"I tried several times to use the mental health services. I was told that women don't go to combat so we shouldn't need counseling." -- Female Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran
"The VA hospitals are used to dealing with male Vietnam, Korea and WWII vets -- the quality of care for a female at a VA hospital is very low." -- Female Iraq Veteran
"The [local] VA is supposed to have 4 women's doctors, but there is only 1 full-time doc and 1 semi-retired (her knowledge is outdated and she's made serious mistakes on basic women's health problems that were already in my military medical record). With all the women veterans, this is ridiculous…Also I get annoyed because everyone calls you "Mr." until they realize you're female, they assume all vets are guys." -- Female Iraq Veteran
This is absolutely unacceptable. The VA must ensure that women veterans receive the care they deserve. With more women serving in combat than ever before, action should have happened yesterday.
Thankfully, some advocates in Congress aren't waiting. A bipartisan group of lawmakers lead by Senator Murray and Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin are championing legislation to improve VA services for women veterans. "The Women Veterans Healthcare Improvement Act" (S.597/H.R.1211) would help assess, expand, and improve VA care for women veterans, especially those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the female veteran population growing daily, it will also equip the VA with the tools necessary to plan long-term for this historic growth. And it's just steps away from the President's signature.
Like their male peers, women veterans have shown incredible dedication and courage in defending their country. It's about time they get the same recognition and support.
Our next scheduled meeting will be Oct/17/09,11:00a.m. at the Post
Dist Mtg Oct/17/09,2:00p.m. @ Sullivan Post.
See a Vet, Thank a Vet!
Dewey Long 7th Dist ALR Dir.
