By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
American Legion Posts To Revitalize In Local Areas
Placeholder Image

 

Military veterans in and around Modesto, Stockton and neighboring areas are invited for a special service session from Thursday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 22 at the following locations: Modesto American Legion Post 74, 1001 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Modesto and American Legion Post 16, 2020 Plymouth Road, Stockton. For the Modesto location, on Saturday, Sept. 22, the event will be moved to the Modesto Moose Family Center #1608, 821 Fifth St. Modesto.

National and state teams from The American Legion will be in town to discuss veteran’s benefits and service to the community.

Officers and staff members of the Indianapolis-based American Legion National Headquarters and San Francisco-based state headquarters along with local post members will be in town to kick off this community and veteran service campaign.

All wartime veterans in this area are invited to the above locations to learn more about The American Legion and veteran benefits. Membership and veteran information staff will be available on Thursday, Sept. 20 and Friday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be extended service hours on Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate those who may not be able to make it during the day. An American Legion Service Officer will also be available on Friday evening for all area veterans with claims or other veteran-related questions during these times.

In keeping with the over 90-year tradition of The American Legion, the rejuvenated American Legion posts in these areas 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 inputs from local civic and community officials.

“Service, that’s what The American Legion is all about,” said Ken Kramlich, Commander of The American Legion for the Department (state) of California. “We exist to help each and every veteran, their families and the communities they live in.

“Modesto, Stockton and the neighboring communities are an ideal place to strengthen partnerships between the veterans and the community,” Kramlich added. “The people here care about their community and practice good citizenship every day. Now, wartime veterans have a special place from which they can make a difference.”

Since its inception in 1919, The American Legion has been a key advocate for veterans’ benefits, children and 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 federal forerunner 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. The American Legion 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 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, fundraising for handicapped children, and partnerships with other nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics.