Senate Approves Naming Post Offices After Fallen Soldiers

On Wednesday, April 23rd, the Senate approved legislation to rename several U.S. Post Offices in Georgia in honor of fallen soldiers.

The U.S. Post Office located at 3035 Stone Mountain Street in Lithonia, GA, will be renamed the “Specialist Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office Building.” The U.S. Post Office located at 5815 McLeod Street in Lula, GA, will be renamed the “Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office.” The U.S. Post Office located at 116 Helen Highway in Cleveland, GA, will be renamed the “Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building.”

These men served without desire for credit, but on behalf of their country and everything positive that we stand for. Naming these post offices after them is one small way to honor the sacrifices they made to make the United States and Georgia a better place.

Learn more about these brave men.

Senate Passes Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act

The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 is a comprehensive bill providing benefits to veterans, their families and their survivors. Provisions of the bill include expanding eligibility for traumatic injury insurance, increasing benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships or on-job training programs and expanding eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance. The bill also provides an automatic annual increase in burial benefits (based on inflation) for the families of veterans.

Watch the status of this bill at www.opencongress.org/bill/110-s1315/show

Georgia Remembers Korean War Veterans

The citizens of Georgia, the Republic of Korea and the American Legion fulfilled their objective on March 28th in Macon and again at Tybee Island on April 7th, with the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway dedication. Many Korean officials and citizens, and former ROK soldiers joined with State officials and Korean War veterans to honor the memory of those killed, or still missing, and pay tribute to all who served during the war in which 75,000 Georgians helped to stem the spread of Communism and slavery.

Through the efforts of State Senators John Douglas and Cecil Staton, and State Representatives John Yates and Allen Freeman, a Resolution was Columbus to Tybee Island. The principal speaker for the Macon affair was Commissioner Pete Wheeler of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service and at Tybee Island, the group heard Jack Kingston, the United States Representative from the First District.

State Commander Dale Barnett, of The American Legion, served as Master of Ceremonies at both events. In his remarks, he thanked the many individuals and groups who assisted with making the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway in Georgia a reality.

From The Georgia Legionnaire, Vol. 2, No. 4.

Veterans/Servicemembers: Salute the Flag When Not in Uniform

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) praised the passage by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S. law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1) states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether they can or should salute the flag.

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service," Senator Inhofe said. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform.

"Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.

"I look forward to seeing those who have served saluting proudly at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25 million veterans in the United States who have served in the military and remain as role models to other citizens. Those who are currently serving or have served in the military have earned this right, and their recognition will be an inspiration to others."

This bill was passed July 27, 2007. Let your veteran friends know about the passage of this bill.

National World War II Museum's Expansion Officially Under Way

Under a brilliant blue sky Monday afternoon, a gathering of trustees, donors, fans, politicians and veterans officially broke ground for a major expansion of the National World War II Museum on Andrew Higgins Drive, across the street from the original location.

The 2-square-block site, decked out in red, white and blue balloons, held about 200 seats for guests, along with a World War II Jeep, a PT boat, a half-track and a Sherman tank. A flyover by four F-17 planes in formation kicked off the ceremony, which included music by a U.S. Navy band, a trooping of colors by the Washington Artillery and a burst of confetti.

Set to be completed by 2015, the $300 million expansion will include a campus of six new buildings covering 5.7 acres bounded by Magazine Street, Andrew Higgins Drive, Calliope Street and the Camp Street down-ramp of the Crescent City Connection. The ambitious expansion will quadruple the size of the original museum, which opened in 2000.

http://blog.nola.com/elizabethmullener/2008/04/national_world_war_ii_museums.html

Happy Birthday Ladies Auxiliary!

The Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion was first chartered to support the American Legion on April 10, 1919. They are 89 years old today! Over the years the Auxiliary has supported the American Legion and America's veterans in a number of ways. Here is their mission statement:

• To support The American Legion programs for veterans, young people, and community
• To provide for today's needs while being advocates for a brighter future
• To advance the understanding of patriotism and responsibility of citizenship
• To promote individual integrity and family values
• To ensure as volunteers, that Auxiliary members continue to be the leaders in all that is good in this nation today, tomorrow and for generations to come through serving others first and not self.

Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial Now Online

Family and friends of servicemen and women who died or vanished in the Vietnam War no longer have to travel to Washington to pay their respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

An interactive version debuted online this week, a project of historical document archive site Footnote.com in conjunction with the National Archives and Records Administration.

The virtual version of the famous memorial -- which is a pair of 246-foot black granite walls inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 American military casualties -- is searchable.

Every name etched onto the real-world wall is viewable online and linked to the veteran's service record. Online visitors can add photos and describe their memories of the servicemen and women who died in the war.

For more of this article: News.Yahoo.com.

To see the virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Go.Footnote.com/thewall.

Alvin Hugh Harris

Alvin Hugh Harris was born in Coweta County, Georgia on November 16, 1893. On February 8, 1915, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and from then, until the day of his death, his life was the highest example of the motto of this wonderful Corps, "Semper Fidelis."

On October 10, 1919, the American Legion Post 57 adopted that the Post be named in honor of one of Coweta County's heroes, Alvin Hugh Harris, of the U.S. Marine Corps, who lost his life so gallantly at Bouresche, France near Chateau Thierry.

On the morning of the 6th of June, 1918, the Marines were attached at Bouresche, near Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood. Private Harris was a member of a one-pounder gun crew and was in the front line of attack. Although heavily outnumbered, the Marines attacked with vigor, and the little gun manned by Private Harris was so active that the Huns overtook to silence it with high explosives. One by one the crew was killed, but Private Harris stuck to his gun. He remained at his post until, wounded 14 times and dying, he was carried from the field. Two days later, in the hospital at Juilly, Seine-et-Marine, he died and was buried by his comrades in Grave No. 51.

First Lieutenant, C.P. Matteson, Commanding Headquarters, 6th Marines, in a letter to Private Harris' father, wrote, "The members of his platoon, and of the entire company join with me in their expression of sympathy at your bereavement, as your son was one of the most popular and best-liked men in the company. Every inch a Marine, let us hope that his death has not been in vain."

"Alvin Hugh Harris died as he lived, always faithful. He bravely laid down his life for his country. His name will ever remain fresh in the hearts of his friends and comrades. The record of his honorable service will be ever preserved in the archives of the American Expeditionary Forces." - J.J. Pershing

Pancake Breakfast to Support Relay for Life

The American Legion Riders are sponsoring a pancake breakfast Saturday, April 5 from 8:30a to 11:00a to benefit the Relay for Life.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

The ALR Ride to benefit Relay for Life will start at noon.

Hope to see you there!

National Commemoration Day of 5th Anniversary of Fall of Baghdad (April 9)

All Americans are urged to join the nation in a moment of national reflection April 9 in remembrance of the 5th anniversary Iraqi Liberation Day and the fall of Baghdad to celebrate the hope given to the Iraqi people because of the courageous actions of U.S. and multinational forces.

At 5 p.m. EDS -- as the sun sets across Arlington National Cemetery-- Americans are urged to honk their car horns to celebrate, honor and recognize the courageous actions of U.S. and multinational forces in giving hope to the Iraqi people. The National Remembrance Ceremony will culminate with a joint U.S-Iraqi wreath–laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as salute our troops, our veterans and our military families.

The national remembrance moment is being initiated by “Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission," a not-for-profit 501(c)3 grassroots coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, veterans and Americans, who share a deep appreciation and support for the uniformed services men and women in their efforts to make America safer. Collectively the group’s mission is ensuring that the sacrifices of courageous warriors have not been made in vain, and that the heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have been charged with such a vital mission will be given the support they need to complete their mission.