Commander: Trips to D.C., St. Paul have been worth it

I’ve just returned from the 2025 Washington Conference where we had 18 Legion Family members attend. We met with our congressional representatives and presented American Legion National Legislative Priorities. My very special appreciation to Department Legislative Chairwoman Kristy Janigo, for all of her hard work and coordination of all of our congressional visits.

I have also had the opportunity to accompany and testify with Kristy in St. Paul before the Minnesota House and Senate subcommittees on veterans affairs (they call these subcommittees “divisions”) as chairman of the Commanders’ Task Force and as commander the American Legion, concerning our Minnesota Legislative Priorities.

Kristy provided me with a very well-prepared testimony. I know a lot of you have expressed concerns about the reported layoffs at the VA medical facilities caring for our Minnesota veterans.

I did send out a letter of explanation over Legionnaire.org, through an email to members for whom we have email addresses and to local media, but for those of you who did not see it, here is a summary: VA Secretary Doug Collins spoke at the Washington Conference and assured everyone that the layoffs would not affect patient care and that hundreds of the employees that had been laid off were able to return due to a generous appeals process.

Just a reminder that National Commander James LaCoursiere Jr. will visit Minnesota March 23-29. Let’s have a strong showing at the posts he visits.

Veterans on the Hill is scheduled for April 9 at 10 a.m. Both the DAV and the Zimmerman Legion are having buses available. Please contact them for their scheduled pick-ups.

Congratulations to Elijah Cox from Walker (in the 6th District) on winning the American Legion Department of Minnesota’s Oratorical Contest that was held on Feb. 22. And

Congratulations to Jamie Brooks for her continued chairmanship of this great Legion program.

Just a reminder that my Testimonial Dinner will be on Saturday, April 5 that the Northern Lights Casino Hotel. Reception will be at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6. Our guest speaker will be Past National Commander Jimmie Foster of Kansas and the emcee will be the one and only Pat Logan.

Please have your reservations into Bob Lundgren of Zimmerman Post 560 no later than March 21. Dress will be business casual, and I look forward to seeing you there.

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