VA secretary tells American Legion National Convention that care backlogs are being reduced

TAMPA, Fla. — VA Secretary Doug Collins told the 106th American Legion Convention gathered in Tampa: “It’s a new day at the VA.”

He added, “We need to do better, and the VA is going to do better.”

And he said: “I don’t know of a veteran who has been given anything. They have earned every bit of it.”

Collins said there were 260,000 backlogged claims when he took over as secretary, and now it is under 50,000. He talked about changing attitudes within the agency.

“The VA no longer works for itself. It works for the veterans of the United States of America.”

He said he has weathered bad press in the effort to make changes. He wants to empower employees to make more decisions at lower levels and quit pushing them up the chain, which causes the backlogs.

“Isn’t that what they taught you in the military?” he asked.

The VA is going to implement the Mission Act fully, he said, to make sure veterans get community care and not wait six months for referrals.

“When you put the veteran first, you begin to think differently. You begin to think about them and not us,” Collins said.

He praised the Legion’s “Be the One” mission of suicide prevention. He slowly counted to 17 and as he got higher in number he sat on the stage steps.

“I’m firmly on the side of one is too many,” Collins said.

 

Tulsi Gabbard

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard praised The American Legion for its “warrior ethos” for placing the mission first and never leaving fellow veterans behind.

She described hearing from a veteran who was a judge, too. The man wanted help getting his Purple Heart. He said he had no paperwork but had shrapnel in his thigh. The Department of Defense said it wasn’t enough evidence. After he finally received the medal, she was honored to present it to him at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Gabbard said President Donald Trump wants his legacy to be one as a peacemaker, to end “stupid wars that threaten the safety and security of the United States.”

 

Be the One

Ret. Army Col. Tim Sheppard, president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, spoke about Be the One.

“It’s not just a slogan,” he said. “It’s a movement that’s saving lives.”

NASDVA represents 52 states and territories, including D.C., for a total of 18.2 million veterans. It includes Minnesota’s own Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sheppard is the executive director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission.

“Let’s make sure no veterans fall through the cracks,” he said. “Together, we can be the one. Together, we can be the many. Together, we can ensure every veteran knows they are seen.”

 

National commander

Air Force veteran and retired judge Dan K. Wiley of the Department of Kansas was elected national commander.

“It’s not about me. It’s about you. You are the true leaders of the organization,” Wiley said.

His theme is “Better Together.” He called on posts to be inclusive and for members to have each other’s backs.

He said The American Legion has a strong history of getting results for veterans: VA itself, G.I. Bill, Agent Orange Act, PACT Act and many others.

“The American Legion advocates from a positive nonpartisan trust where Congress comes to us, not flashy statements,” he said.

The “flashy statements” is a reference to other veteran organizations known for sending media statements but don’t do much in the way of actually talking to senators and representatives to get laws passed.

Wiley belongs to Leavenworth Post 23 and is a past department commander and NECman. He and his wife, Sonia, have two children and one grandson. He visits Minnesota on the National Commander’s Tour April 19-23.

Minnesota is in the Legion’s Midwest Region. Wiley is the first national commander from the Midwest Region since Michael Helm of Nebraska in 2014.

The national vice commanders are Benjamin Headen of Arizona, J.D. Larson of Maryland, Jerry Landkamer of Nebraska, Steven T. Weismann of Tennessee and Ronald LaRose of Vermont.

The new president of the American Legion Auxiliary is Pam Ray of Urbana, Ill., Unit 71. The new commander of the Sons of The American Legion is Bill Clancy III of City Island, N.Y., Squadron 156. City Island is an island neighborhood in The Bronx of New York City.

 

Resolutions

One resolution was approved at the convention.

Out of the Department of California, it was an amendment to the national bylaws between Sections 2 and 3 to read: “Any local Post that has initiated disciplinary action against an offending member under Article IV, Section 2, will maintain jurisdiction of that member’s disciplinary process until the cause of such action is resolved, and that the member shall not transfer to any other Post during this process unless approved by both the losing and gaining Posts.”

Minnesota sent three resolutions to the convention.

The first called for the VA to expand presumptive exposure for veterans who served on the Korean DMZ from Aug. 31, 2001, and prior due to ongoing risk of exposure to soil contamination from Agent Orange. It was referred to the standing VA&R Commission for technical changes and will be acted upon by the NEC at the Fall Meetings in Indianapolis.

The second called for National HQ to distribute dues no later than the 28th day of the month following their collection. This was rejected because Article X of the Constitution already calls for dues to be distributed to departments within 30 days.

The third wanted to change Article II Section 2 to say “nonpartisan” instead of “nonpolitical.” National Judge Advocate Mark Seavey ruled it to be unnecessary as the same section already says “shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles,” which means nonpartisan anyway.

Just FYI: The National Executive Committee also passes resolutions. An example of one passed in May authorizes The American Legion to work with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and other advisory councils on the celebration of America 250, including references to the Legion being a civil society leader in the constitutional republic.

Also in May, the NEC approved a resolution from Minnesota urging Congress and the VA to adjust rates for Specially Adapted Housing and Special Housing Adaptation programs. It replaces a similar resolution from 2023 because of rising housing costs.

Online, members can find approved resolutions going back to 1919 at legion.org/about/organization/resolutions.

 

100 percent CPR

Minnesota was recognized for turning in 100 percent of Consolidated Post Reports. Other states recognized for their reporting were Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

 

Detweiler Award

The William M. Detweiler Excellence Award went to the Maryland American Legion Riders, which donated $240,000 to the American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation.

At another point, the national commander recognized Minnesota ALR for being the first to donate $1 million to the national mission, which at the time was Legacy Scholarship. Now, the fundraising mission is VCF.

 

Baseball

Minnesota’s own Glenwood-Lowry Posts 187 & 253 baseball team was recognized for winning the four-team small-school tournament in Milbank, S.D., that marked 100 seasons for American Legion Baseball.

The winner of the American Legion World Series was Chesapeake Post 280, which defeated League City, Texas, Post 554, by a score of 5-0. It is the Department of Virginia’s second national baseball championship. (Minnesota has five.)

 

Other awards

Distinguished Service Medal: This is the highest award given by The American Legion. It must be approved by the National Executive Committee. The medal was given to the Army, Navy and Marines in honor of 250 years of existence.

Patriot Award: Phyllis Wilson, president of the Military Women’s Memorial.

James V. Day “Good Guy” Award: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Sgt. Shane Maloley, Beatrice, Neb.

National Firefighter of the Year: Capt. Jason Harmsen, Clayton County, Ga.

Educator of the Year: Jeffrey Gaylord, Rutherford County, Tenn.

100% American Award: Gary Stone, Department of Missouri

Daniel J. O’Connor Americanism Trophy: Department of Ohio

Fourth Estate Award Broadcast: KXAN-TV, Austin, Texas, “A Hanging on Backbone Creek,” a 60-year cold case given scrutiny

Fourth Estate Award Print: Louisville, Ky., Courier-Journal, “Silence & Secrets” about child sex abuse by Kentucky coaches

National Recruiter of the Year: Martha Bigbie, St. George, Utah, Post 142

Most of the membership awards went to the departments of France and Hawaii. Spirit of Service awards were given to military members who serve the local communities, too. Many veteran employer awards were given. Many awards were given for donations.

Pershing Award

The Department of Minnesota wasn’t recognized on stage but received a membership award in the mail. Called the Gen. John J. Pershing Award, it honors the department with the greatest percentage of posts receiving the Post Honor Ribbon for achieving 100 percent or more of their previous year’s membership by Dec. 31 and having reported it to National HQ by Jan. 31.

The plaque hangs on a wall at the Department HQ in St. Paul.

 

Florida

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody spoke on how Florida has 1 million veterans and is leading the nation in veteran population and migration. She congratulated Lady Lake, Fla., Post 347 on winning the Color Guard Contest.

“The USA is a great nation because its veterans are serving their communities, and The American Legion enables them to do so,” she said.

Ret. Marine Maj. Gen. James Hartsell is the former director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. He explained the veteran migration.

“Veterans like secure borders. They fought wars over borders. Veterans like parental rights. They were educated, not indoctrinated. Veterans like Florida’s respect for the American flag. Florida respects patriotism, family, loved ones and Florida has a great economy,” he said.

He added that, in Florida, the entire month of November is Veterans Month.

 

PNC Miles Epling

Dan Ludwig, a past national commander from Red Wing Post 54 in Minnesota, took the podium to speak in memory of Past National Commander Miles S. Epling Jr., who died on April 13 at the age of 75.

While serving in the Marines in Vietnam, Epling lost both legs when he stepped on a landmine. He was discharged in 1969 with a Purple Heart. He was elected national commander in 1989 at the age of 39. He was from Point Pleasant, W.V., Post 23.

“He could have chosen a civilian life, but he did not,” Ludwig said. “Instead of wondering ‘what if?’ he served veterans by joining The American Legion.”

Epling was the national commander during the Persian Gulf War. Ludwig said being a national commander requires long hours and lots of traveling.

Also, Epling led the charge in pursuing a constitutional amendment to protect Old Glory.

“The flag is the living symbol of all things good and true that my buddies laid down their lives for,” Ludwig said.

Epling made the VA take on Agent Orange as a priority. Hurricane Hugo and the World Series Earthquake struck America during his watch. That was when the NEC created the National Emergency Fund. Since then, the fund has delivered more than $10 million in disaster aid.

“Miles, rest in peace,” Ludwig said. “Your duty is done.”

 

America 250

Former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios leads the Semiquincentennial Commission.

“I want July 4, 2025, to be the largest and most inspirational celebration in U.S. history,” she said.

She encouraged Legion posts to make the 250th birthday a great event in their communities.

There will be an American flag carried to all 50 states, five major territories and the District of Columbia.

PNC Dan Seehafer of Wisconsin is the chair for the Legion’s America 250 Commission.

National Legion College

A selectee for American Legion College from Minnesota was Beth Medeiros, commander of Pequot Lakes Post 49.

 

Army-Navy

One of the questions fielded at the Marketing Commission meeting was: Why was there no in-game commercial during the Army-Navy game?

Because a 30-second spot is $2 million. The American Legion received all kinds of pre-promotion instead. Viewers won’t see commercials but will see American Legion logos on graphics. The marketing staff hopes to receive a 30-second spot in 2027 but not at $2 million after discussion about nonprofit rates and consideration of the Legion’s efforts to help veterans.

 

Minutes taker

Tired of taking minutes?

Media creators gather on the Monday of convention week, often sharing skills or new things.

During one class, Ohio 2nd Vice Commander Holly Lewis brought up a mobile app called Plaud. Plaud provides audio transcription and uses AI to summarize the notes into minutes.

How does it figure out who is speaking? It can tell the differences in voices. The first time, it will label them Speaker 1, Speaker 2 and so on. You can go in after and change Speaker 1 to “Linda Dvorak” (or whomever), and it will remember for the next meeting the sound of Linda Dvorak’s voice.

In other words, as the minutes taker, you watch the app take the notes on your phone screen. You may have to write down only when there is a new speaker or when the app is confused by background noise or two people speaking at once.

The app offers up to 300 minutes of transcription and summarization per month for no charge. That’s 5 hours — plenty for post meetings.

 

Branding guidelines

When do you use the emblem and when do you use the brandmark?

Here is what National says:

“Use the brandmark for materials aimed at external audiences, particularly for marketing, recruitment and fundraising. It’s best suited for promotional, public-facing communications designed to engage or inform.

“Use the emblem for internal, official or ceremonial contexts, especially where the organization’s legal, historical or institutional identity is being emphasized.

“In certain formal situations, such as awards, building signage or government communications, either the brandmark or emblem may be appropriate, depending on tone or audience.”