• Processes more than 600 disability claims appeals per month for veterans trying to get their VA medical benefits.

• Sponsors more than 5,000 American Legion Baseball teams, comprising more than 100,000 ballplayers.

• Helps families of deployed troops through its Family Support Network and Operation Military Family Outreach.

• Awards college scholarships to children whose mothers or fathers have sacrificed their lives in the global war on terrorism through The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.

• Through its Temporary Financial Assistance program, helps the children of veterans who are suffering hardships.

• Through its Heroes To Hometowns program, works with communities to welcome back their  returning veterans and help them make the transition to civilian life.

• Lobbies Congress to upgrade and improve  Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits (the Legion wrote the original 1944 GI Bill that educated 8 million veterans).

• Urges Congress to provide enough VA funding to take care of veterans’ medical needs and authorize appropriations in advance.

• Volunteers about one million hours every year at about 160 VA medical facilities nationwide.

• Gives emergency financial assistance to Legion families hit by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other disasters through The American Legion National Emergency Fund.

• Offers community programs that encourage the intellectual and social growth of America’s children (Boys State, National Oratorical Competition, Junior Shooting Sports, Boy Scouts).

• Raises funds to improve the quality of life for active-duty troops through Operation Comfort Warriors.

 

(Provided by the American Legion)