Anthrax resolution stalls at national convention

Gender-neutral cap proposal brings up uniform discussion

NEW ORLEANS — There were six resolutions from Minnesota that were sent to the 105th National American Legion Convention for review. None was passed.

It was the second year of inaction for a resolution calling for federal agencies to investigate the anthrax shot given to troops during the Persian Gulf War, whether deploying or staying on base. The shot was given to about 10,000 civilians after the 9/11 attacks, when menacing anthrax-laced letters killed five and sickened 17.

After the resolution was sent back for further study at the 2023 National Convention in Charlotte, Department Service Officer Ray Kane revised the language and worked closely with staff at National HQ on phrasing.

In short, the resolution calls on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Food & Drug Administration and the Department of Health “to initiate a thorough and independent investigation to evaluate the effects of anthrax vaccinations on veterans.”

It calls on that research to be provided to the VA and to be made public, with authorities taking steps to provide appropriate medical care to veterans affected by the anthrax vaccination.

 

What started
this resolution?

On April 13, 2023, Dr. Brian Engdahl of the Brain Sciences Center met the Minnesota American Legion Brain Sciences Foundation. The Minnesota Legion and Auxiliary raised the funds to create the center, which was dedicated in 1991.

Engdahl told the foundation board that the center had researched Gulf War illness, with a finding that Gulf War veterans show an accelerated brain atrophy compared to the normal population, as well as some other areas of health, such as respiration issues and bowel dysfunction.

Engdahl said the Brain Sciences Center made the connection between the military’s anthrax shot, given to Mideast-bound servicemembers, and the illness.

“This science center cracked the code for Gulf War illness,” said Engdahl. “Unfortunately, not enough people have the right genetic makeup to fight the anthrax vaccine.”

Then-Commander Jennifer Havlick asked, “Why don’t all Gulf War veterans qualify for VA medical care?”

Engdahl replied that the findings never made it into VA policy.

Kane and the Minnesota American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (aka VA&R) Committee have pushed for the past two years to get that research into policy by having the federal government look into it.

 

What now?

At the National Convention in New Orleans, the resolution was No. 16: “Investigation of Anthrax Vaccinations.”

It went before the VA&R Convention Committee, which had 14 resolutions from across the nation to consider. Without discussion, the anthrax one was quickly referred it to the VA&R Commission for further study.

Kane said the resolution is not dead. It is stalled. He said language a past national staffer had him insert into the resolution now is being suggested by that person’s replacement to come out. Plus, that new staff member wants Kane to put the Brain Science findings into the resolution with scientific details, such as the vaccination having 127 extra proteins.

“The problem is, it’s a dirty vaccine,” Kane said. “That’s why we need more research on this resolution. Senators took this. Troops on base took it. Some postal workers took it.”

He is working with national staff to adjust the resolution in time for the National Executive Committee meeting second week of October.

“It’s just a roadblock, but I don’t accept no,” Kane said. “It’s a bump in the road, and I’m going after it. It passed twice in Minnesota, and our Legionnaires believe in it, so we are going to pursue this.”

Here are the results of the other five resolutions, along with the numbers assigned to them:

 

No. 17: “Gender Neutral Cap Regulations”

This resolution calls for removal of language in the Legion’s Officer’s Guide & Manual of Ceremonies that separates female cap practices from males. The Department of Minnesota approved this resolution at its July 2024 convention on a divided vote, so narrow that hands had to be counted.

In New Orleans, it went to the Internal Affairs Convention Committee, which referred it to the Internal Affairs Commission. The commission may talk about it at its next meeting or it might go nowhere.

Presently, the Legion’s uniform rules allow women to leave their caps on during the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, meals, POW/MIA recognitions and other situations where men remove their caps. Resolution author Kelley Adelsman of Pine Island Post 184 said the U.S. military no longer requires different cap standards for men and women.

At the convention committee meeting, Past National Commander Denise Rohan of Wisconsin said it conflicts with a post-World War II resolution and possible others. She said The American Legion needs to revise all of its uniform guidelines, saying they were due for a change, not just the cap.

Past 6th District Commander Anthony Koop attended the committee meeting in New Orleans and reported back to the Minnesota Caucus at Monday, Aug. 26, during the convention. He said the resolution brought out discussion on uniforms and said it is common for resolutions in any national organization to take several years to pass.

Adelsman said she learned a lesson to share at Minnesota Legion College: It is good to attend the meeting where your resolution is heard.

She spoke to Maine’s Matthew Jabaut, chairman of the Membership & Post Activities Committee at the national level. He also told her the Legion needs to begin revision uniform standards.

 

No. 18: “Five Year Income Look-Back Period for Pension Benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

This one was referred to the VA&R Commission for further study. Kane said it got pushback over needing two edits.

“These have to be spot-on,” he said.

Kane is working with the Minnesota congressional delegation to draft a letter to be sent to the VA secretary. There is urgency, he said, because the long lookback only encourages veteran suicide.

The VA’s disability pension program provides monthly payments to wartime veterans 65 years or older meeting certain criteria, which includes income. Presently, there is not a limit on how far back the VA can look at a veteran’s income to determine eligibility. However, with Social Security, the look-back period is generally five years.

This resolution notes the VA has been known to look back as far as 30 years, causing hardships. It calls for the VA to set a limit of five years for looking back at income.

Kane said the end goal is not merely to get the VA to change its policy — because it could be changed back — but to get it in law, so that five years remains the maximum.

 

No. 19: “Interest on Retroactive Payment for Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Delayed for More Than One Year.”

This resolution was received and recorded. What’s that mean? They will sit on it. They could bring it up next year, but probably not. It’s like a motion dying for lack of a second.

In July, the Department of Minnesota passed this, urging legislation that requires the VA to pay interest on retroactive payments owed to veterans for claims delayed a year or more.

“It won’t be dead in Minnesota,” Kane said. “We approved it, and we are going to take action.”

 

No. 20: “Compensation for Veterans Requiring Hearing Aids for Service-Connected Hearing Loss”

This one was referred to the  VA&R Commission for further study. It calls for amending the VA’s rating schedule to ensure veterans with service-connected hearing loss who require hearing aids receive a minimum rating of 40 percent.

Kane said the compensable ratings are across the board, while audible findings are consistent. If hearing loss is enough to need aids, it ought to be at least 40 percent, he said.

 

No. 21: “Increase the Grant Amounts Authorized in the Specially Adaptive Housing Program”

This one was sent to the Veterans Employment & Education Commission for further study. It urges Congress and the VA to review and adjust the rates for federal adaptive housing programs in light of rising construction costs.

“The money wounded veterans get to adapt their house isn’t enough,” Kane said. “The modifications are more expensive than what they used to be.”

 

Did anything pass?

A single resolution passed at the 105th National Convention, according to Howard Trace, director of the American Legion Library & Museum, which tracks the organization’s resolutions.

That was No. 10: “Post-Secondary Credit for Military Service,” originating from South Dakota and was heard by the convention’s Veterans Employment & Education Committee.

It calls on all colleges and universities to work with the Department of Defense to develop and implement a framework for assessing military training and experience for college credit. It urges Congress to enact legislation requiring colleges and universities that receive federal funding to adopt policies that recognize the educational value of military service and provide the appropriate credit in accordance with the American Council on Education.