Commander: Congratulations on the anthrax resolution

I am hoping that everyone who attended the Fall Conference had the opportunity to attend the classes and presentations offered. I especially want to thank Adjutant Mike Maxa and the Training Committee for setting this up and the presenters for their time and knowledge.

I also hope that everyone took time to catch up with old friends and meet a few new ones before “you know what” slows our travels down for a while.

Congratulations to Chris Anderson from Hastings Post 47, who is a member of the Media & Communications Committee and Department Membership Director Carla Tappainer from Apple Valley Post 1776 for being accepted to attend the National American Legion College Nov. 17-23. I am looking forward to hearing about their experience and the knowledge they gained.

I wanted to update you on the Minnesota resolutions presented at the National Convention in New Orleans. Specifically, Resolution 24-2 “Assessing the Effects of Anthrax Vaccinations on Veterans, Service Members and National Guard Personnel.”

Initially, the resolution was sent back to the VA&R Screening Committee for further study. But I am so happy to report that at the Fall NEC Meeting in Indianapolis, the resolution passed!

Congratulations to both Department Service Officer Ray Kane and Assistant Department Service Officer Janet Lorenzo for all their hard work, persistence and patience in getting this very important resolution passed. Please thank them when you see them.

Just an update on my project, the Veterans Defense Project (aka VDP). Its goal is to expand the veterans courts to the rural counties. Currently, only 26 of the 87 Minnesota counties have veterans courts, which offer veterans with low-level offensives an alternative to incarceration, by completing a one year probationary program that allows their criminal record to be expunged, thereby allowing them to return to being productive citizens.

My goal is to raise $60,000 to help VDP achieve its goal. I am pleased to report that, as of this printing of the Legionnaire, $10,192 has been received toward this goal. Thank you to everyone who has generously donated to this worthy cause.

Peggy and I just want to wish everyone a grateful and relaxing Thanksgiving.

Carl Moon of Zimmerman Post 560 is the commander of The American Legion Department of Minnesota. His theme is “ACT: Accountability, Communication and Transparency.”