Support disaster victims with NEF contribution

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JOIN DONATE RENEW Support disaster victims with NEF contribution Dear American Legion Family and Friends, When I was growing up, I lived in Elkader, Iowa, along the Turkey River. It was a wonderful place to be raised. To this day, I still have fond memories of our home, schools and community. As adults, we traveled back to Elkader for a weekend visit with my parents and other family members during the summer of 1991. What started out as a simple storm turned into torrential rains which caused the Turkey River to flood its banks. With lessons learned from an earlier flood, we hurriedly moved things out of the basement and wrapped the furnace and other appliances in plastic to save them. Then came the evacuations. Upon returning to survey the damage, we saw that the floods got up to about three feet on the first floor of the house, rendering our work in the basement useless. We tore out carpet and floorboards, cut into the wall boards, threw away a lot of damaged items, and started bleaching anything we could to save it. Our experience with a natural disaster is not unique. One can happen anytime and anywhere. As summer begins, so does a new hurricane season. And, if this year is anything like last year, millions of Americans will find themselves in the wake of dangerous storms. That's why The American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF) stands ready to help Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion members and posts that have been affected by natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and others. Last year, hundreds of NEF grants were distributed to help our brothers and sisters recover in the immediate aftermath of such tragedies. The grants – up to $3,000 for individuals and $10,000 for posts – are available due to the kindness of donors. To contribute to NEF grants for this season's victims of natural disaster, please visit www.legion.org/donate. These grants provide much-needed immediate financial aid for those in need of food, clothing, shelter or gasoline after a natural disaster. In the past, NEF donations have helped those recovering from large-scale disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy and smaller incidents of flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and more. In our family's case, we lost precious mementoes from the Turkey River flooding. However, we gained valuable memories as we worked together to save my parents' home. While Legion Family members cannot replace the memories of those affected by future natural disasters, we can support them through our generosity. Please consider a donation to NEF today. Family First. Denise H. Rohan National Commander Service. Patriotism. Camaraderie. Join Us Share this email:

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District Membership Award

I have attached a photo of an award our District received at the State Convention. My name is on it but our whole team made this happen, and I thank you and your Officers and members for making this happen. Our District came in number two in the State for membership attainment, and we have set the bar high.  Two Districts came in at over 100%, and we were one of them. The first District in the metric was District 1. The 2019 membership cards are ready to ship so be on the lookout for them.

Thank You,

Gary DeMars, District 17 1st Vice Commander

Flag symbolizes America’s hopes

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JOIN DONATE RENEW Flag symbolizes America's hopes Dear American Legion Family and Friends, While Americans are divided on many political issues, most people – especially those in our American Legion Family – hold a special reverence for the flag of our nation. For the flag does not symbolize perfection but it does conjure images of the hopes and dreams of those who built this country. Whether it's the Apollo 11 crew planting Old Glory on the surface of the moon or New York firefighters raising the flag amidst the rubble of the World Trade Center, the Stars and Stripes make an emphatic statement about American determination and exceptionalism. Ninety-five years ago, The American Legion chaired a National Flag Conference in Washington.  Representatives from 68 other patriotic, fraternal, civic and military organizations joined us at Memorial Continental Hall for the purpose of drafting a code of Flag etiquette. President Warren G. Harding charged the group with an important task. "I hope you succeed in formulating a code that will be welcomed by all Americans and that every patriotic and educational society in the Republic will commit itself to the endorsement and observance and purpose of the code that you adopt here today," Harding said. They were enormously successful. In two days, the assembly came up with 15 rules for the proper use and care of the U.S. flag. Texas and New York made flag code instruction required curriculum in their schools. During World War II, Congress adopted the code as public law. But still, much work needs to be done. In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that flag desecration was "free speech," despite laws in 48 states and the District of Columbia which said otherwise. In response, The American Legion has been working tirelessly to correct the flawed ruling by championing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution which would grant Congress the authority to protect Old Glory from such vile acts. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark, re-introduced H.J. Res. 61, which would do just that. So would its companion measure, S.J. Res. 46, introduced by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. Past polling by the Citizens Flag Alliance indicates that most Americans want to see their flag protected. Moreover, every state legislature has appealed in writing to the U.S. Congress to pass the flag amendment and send it to the states for ratification. The National Flag Conference made history in 1923. One of its participants was Samuel Gompers, the legendary president of the American Federation of Labor. "To us," Gompers said, "the American flag means more than even its colors in themselves portray. It means the leadership of the democratic and humane struggle that has been carried on through all the ages. "It is a struggle that continues to this day. And it is for this reason that we must continue to wave the flag at every opportunity.  Family First. Denise H. Rohan National Commander

VA Benefits Bulletin - May 2018

Stay current on what's happening at the Veterans Benefits Administration.

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. VA Benefits Bulletin May 2018 RAMP up the Speed on Your Appeals Decision As of April 2018, any Veteran with a pending appeal can opt into the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) — no need to wait for an invitation! You can access the Opt-in Form on the Appeals Modernization webpage. RAMP participants receive faster decisions and earlier resolution of disagreements. Get your decisions in the timely manner you deserve. Opt in today! Read More Boost Your Benefits Knowledge on Facebook Did you miss our Education and Career Counseling Facebook event last month? Catch the archived video on our Facebook page, and learn about benefits you may be eligible for.  Watch the event The How, What, When and Why of VGLI Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a program that allows you to continue life insurance coverage after you separate from service. Find out who is eligible, the benefits of enrolling, coverage amounts and how to apply. Read More Sounds Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is. If you have a VA Home Loan, don't be fooled by refinancing offers that look too good to be true. VA and the Consumer Financial Protection Board recently joined forces to release an official Warning Order for offers like these. Read More Find a Local Memorial Day Ceremony The National Cemetery Administration will host Memorial Day ceremonies at VA national cemeteries across the country. Local communities are encouraged to take part and add their own personal touches. This Memorial Day, find an event near you, and help honor our Service members who died in action.  Stay up to date on Veteran employment information Get stats delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to the VETS monthly Veteran Employment Update.

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Detroit Tigers Military Program ⚾

Can't see images? Click here... American Legion Military and Veteran ticket discount Active members and Veterans of the military are eligible to purchase half-price box off at dynamically placed upper box infield and upper grandstand tickets to all 2018 Monday through Thursday regular-season home games excluding opening day. See the image below and click on the link or the image to see the Tiger website. Tiger's Link American Legion Post 147 100 W. Dunlap Northville, MI 48167 americanlegionpost147michigan.org You received this email because you signed up on our website or made purchase from us. Unsubscribe

Northville Military and Veterans Banner Program

Veterans Identification Cards

The following information was passed to us by one of our members. Please note the link in the note will get you to the VA Sign Up page, however, they are asking users to provide an email as they are having issues with the amount of traffic.

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Update: The VA started accepting applications for the Veterans Identification Cards at the end of November 2017. The VA has announced there is no anticipated cost for the Veterans ID card, even though they are authorized to charge a fee. You can apply here. (Note: The VA is experiencing a high volume of applications and there are expected delays to issue cards).

Action Alert: Legion Opposes Steep TRICARE Fee Hikes

The American Legion Needs Your Help Protecting TRICARE Benefits! Take Action! Contact Your Members of Congress Now (October 23, 2017) Last year, Congress increased TRICARE costs for military retirees and their families who enter the military after January 1, 2018. Current military retirees and their family members are exempt from these cost increases. However, Congress is now considering legislation that would remove this exemption. As of now, the Senate is primarily pushing for these changes. This proposal would result in higher TRICARE fees for military retirees, including pharmacy copayments, which are already three times higher than they were in 2011, and enrollment costs for certain plans, such as the new Select plan, would nearly triple. There is an inherent cost of fielding a professional, all-volunteer military, and the promise of a modest stipend immediately upon retirement and inexpensive health care are keys to retaining our best and brightest service members. The American Legion will not stand idly by while Congress continues to rob Peter to pay Paul and we need your assistance in telling Congress "No!" Take Action: Contact your Senators and Representative to demand that they reject any proposal that would result in TRICARE fee increases for current beneficiaries, and let them know that veterans have paid for their benefits through blood, sweat, and tears many times over. (If received by email, scroll up and click the Take Action link, otherwise see below and send a prepared message to Congress. Also, Like this on Facebook.)

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Follow us on Twitter

Want to know more about YOUR VA benefits? You may have seen an email from us about following us on Facebook. Are you also on Twitter? Have questions on VA benefits? Want to stay current on latest VA developments? Come follow us @VAVetBenefits! We use Twitter for breaking news and real-time discussion with Vets, VSOs, media, and more. Sincerely, Veterans Benefits Administration  Connect With Us        You have received this message because you are subscribed to Veterans Benefits Administration.  Access your Subscriber Preferences to make changes to your subscription or Unsubscribe.  Get this as a forward? Sign up to receive updates from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Have questions or problems? Please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.    Sent to gary@demars.me on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration · 810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420 · 1-800-827-1000

LegionCare Insurance Plan - No-Cost

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Want to know more about YOUR VA benefits? Do you have questions about or need assistance with VA benefits? Are you looking to see which VA benefits are available to you? Give us a like and follow on Facebook to connect with our social media team. Each day, our page features benefits news, updates, tips, how-to's and discussions on VA benefits. Sincerely, Veterans Benefits Administration  Connect With Us        You have received this message because you are subscribed to Veterans Benefits Administration.  Access your Subscriber Preferences to make changes to your subscription or Unsubscribe.  Get this as a forward? Sign up to receive updates from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Have questions or problems? Please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.    Sent to gary@demars.me on behalf of US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration · 810 Vermont Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20420 · 1-800-827-1000

Summary of American Legion Benefits

The ‘Forever GI Bill.’ Here are 11 things you should know.

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Trump signed the 'Forever GI Bill.' Here are 11 things you should know.