FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Military and veterans health care should not be part of any national health care bill, says The American Legion

WASHINGTON (July 22, 2009) – The national commander of the nation’s largest veterans service organization has reacted to tonight’s urgent call by President Barack Obama for national health care reform.
“While The American Legion appreciates the complexity of the healthcare reform challenge facing the President and Congress,” said David K. Rehbein, “on behalf of our nation's 26-million veterans and the nearly two million personnel now on active duty in more than 130 countries, we urge Congress to ensure that veterans’ and military health care not be part of any national health care bill. They should be exempt in the legislation.”
Rehbein added, “Our nation must maintain its long standing tradition that veterans’ and military health care systems will remain independent and focused on our most deserving citizens.
“The American Legion has a proud tradition of securing and preserving the earned benefits of America’s veterans,” Rehbein said. “Ensuring timely access to quality healthcare for today’s military and veterans is of paramount concern. These are the citizens who have borne our battles in previous wars as they still are in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have earned our care the hard way. We, as a nation, have an obligation to ensure that their healthcare is not compromised,” he concluded.
With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
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Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-0887 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.

Western Legacy Run to National Convention a go!

OK, looks like this thing is going to happen. Feel free to pass this on to others that would like to join in. If you know Riders from the west wanting to join in let me know ASAP. The final route is flexible at this time and we may want to hook up with another group along the way. Looks like we may be going by St.Louis and grabbing a few. Who cares what direction, it's all about the fun and the cause.

Remember that you must register with the National ride to play along. (waivers and all that stuff)

If anybody has more info on what Stony had set up PLEASE pass that on as well. Time is short and no need to re-invent the wheel. This is his dream and I would like to follow through with it for him.

Also, I have two PE Riders (confirmed) in my group doing this thing. If your post would like us to personally deliver your donations to national, we would be honored to do so. Just let me know and get them, in a sealed envelope, with an amount and post identification on the front to me. National seems to like an informal breakdown of how you raised the funds and names and addresses of any large donors you might have (they may send a personal "thank you" to them). Just put that in the envelope and let them worry about the TMI thing. Promote your post, promote this project and thank your donors.

Let's keep this cause going and have some fun along the way.

THX
&
Shiny Side Up


Todd Harris
American Legion Riders
Director, AZ Post 86
Pony Express Messenger
SoundAttitudes@frontiernet.net

Progressive Motorcycle Insurance signs on as Legacy Run Supporter

Our thanks to the men and women at Progressive Insurance, our newest American Legion Legacy Run supporters.

Here's your pop quiz of the day, and it's not an easy one:

"What is the make of motorcycle featured at the top of the page of the Progress Motorycle Insurance website www.motorcycle.progressive.com?"

First THREE correct answers emailed to legionriders@legion.org (AWACS) gets a free 2006 original-issue American Legion Legacy Run patch. Don't forget to include your mailing address.

ALR in IRAQ

I have attached a picture of SFC Andy Swenson stationed in Iraq who also is a member of American Legion Riders Post 298, Battle Creek, MI. Although Andy could not attend our events he keeps the mission of the Riders in his actions in Iraq. Andy is missed very much by his fellow Riders, including his wife Jen Swenson. Jen is prior Army herself and has been in charge of the home front while Andy is away. He will return home sometime later this summer for a short leave then it's back to business.

Tom Starkweather, Director
American Legion Riders
Post 298 Battle Creek, MI

Legacy Run Roommates Needed?

Several Riders have contacted me offering either to share a hotel room with one or more "roommates", or who don't want to pay for a room but are willing to share the costs on the Legacy Run. Please feel free to use this forum (click on comments link below) to leave your contact information if you would like to participate in this cost-sharing arrangement!

See www.legion.org, or our eNewsletters link to the right, for lodging information.

Ride safe and see you all in five weeks. Total registration count now (July 11) is 377 motorcycles with 76 passengers. Can we reach 500?

AWACS
Bill Sloan
Indianapolis

Video of the McVey family

Riders Raise $21,000 for Cancer Kids

Alabama Legion Riders raise $21,000
American Legion Rider Chapter 107 in Leeds, Ala., donates the money to camp for children with cancer.

See the article in The American Legion Online Update at www.legion.org.