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Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7, 2020

News from the Post

VA Offering Drive-Thru Flu Shots for Veterans

Click to read the full press release.

(Posted 2 Sep 2020)

LegiontownUSA

LegiontownUSA where Legionnaires upload personnel stories and local events.

You may even find a couple members of Post 313 on the site.

(Posted 5 Sep 2020)

VA Email Updates

(Posted 5 Sep 2020)

Click on the image for pricing

National Commander's Pin Incentive Program

American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford will award his national commander "A Foundation for the Future" membership excellence pin to any Legionnaire who obtains three new members into The American Legion.

A new member is any eligible person joining for the 2021 membership year who was not a member of The American Legion during the 2020 membership year.

Each member listed must be eligible for membership in The American Legion. Forward names of Sons of The American Legion members or Auxiliary members to your detachment or unit for use in their respective incentive programs.

Only one pin will be awarded per individual. Upon receipt, national membership staff will confirm the names and mail the pin directly to the person who earned it.

Download the "A Foundation for the Future" incentive pin form.

Dear Fellow Member,

Taking care of military families is what USAA does, and that extends beyond the service we provide. It also drives how we support the community.

COVID-19 is threatening our country's health, economy and social stability. We know that military families, in particular, are facing urgent and unique challenge.

To support the military community and help mitigate the pandemic's impact, USAA is donating $30 million to two dozen nonprofit organizations to offer relief and support. The Military Family Relief Initiative will help military aid organizations provide zero-interest loans and emergency grants to eligible service members, guardsmen, reservists and their families. The funding also will enhance veteran and spouse employment prospects and military family support efforts. This includes augmenting child-care costs for essential personnel; supporting virtual delivery of education, including online resources and content for parents; and emotional support for children.

Our goal is for this contribution to give military aid organizations a lasting benefit. As interest-free loans are repaid, the funds can help new recipients well into the future.

This donation represents the largest one-time philanthropic contribution from USAA in our nearly 100-year history. We also hope our efforts can drive a national dialogue about the financial challenges of military life.

There are three ways you can participate with us:

Apply if you think your family would benefit from financial support via the military aid societies.
Give if you want to join us in aiding military families.
Share your story to help others build financial resilience.

It is an honor to serve military familiies like you. Thank you for being a part of our enduring association.

Best,

Wayne Peacock
USAA President and Chief Executive Officer

(Added 28 Aug 2020)

Buddy Checks

We will do Buddy checks again this month and schedule them quarterly. Judy Gavin has kindly taken over as the Chair of the committee. Expect a call or email this month. If you are interested in helping with Buddy Checks, let Judy know.

(Updated: 17 Jul 2020)

VA to award more than 425 grants, $279 million
to help prevent and end Veteran homelessness

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it will award more than 425 grants to community organizations totaling approximately $279 million under the Grant Per diem (GPD) program.

The GPD program provides funding to community organizations that provide transitional housing and supportive services for homeless Veterans, with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income and obtain greater self-determination.

“The GPD program is one component of VA’s multifaceted continuum of services and resources to help Veterans exit homelessness,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “No Veteran should ever have to worry whether they will have stable housing, and these grants put us one step closer to ensuring all Veterans are living in a safe and supportive environment.”

The award period begins Oct. 1 to support three different types of grants to address the unique needs of Veterans who are homeless:

Per Diem only grants are used to provide transitional housing beds and operate service centers for Veterans experiencing homelessness. These grants provide funding in the form of per diem payments to reimburse grantees for the cost of care provided to Veterans during the award period. A total of 369 grants to organizations will be awarded to provide 12,138 beds and 18 service centers totaling approximately $221 million.
Special Need grants provide funding to organizations that incur additional operational costs to help Veterans with special needs who are experiencing homelessness, including women, individuals with chronic mental illnesses and Veterans who care for minor dependents. A total of 11 grants to organizations will be awarded totaling approximately $2.4 million.
Transition in Place grants provide funding to community agencies that place Veterans experiencing homelessness in transitional housing while providing them with supportive services. These services are designed to help Veterans become more stable and independent, with the ultimate goal of Veterans assuming full responsibility for the lease or other housing agreement. When that goal has been achieved, the transitional residence becomes the Veteran’s permanent residence, and supportive services come to an end. A total of 46 grants to organizations will be awarded to provide 723 beds totaling $55.3 million.

The GPD program has provided Veterans who are homeless with community-based transitional housing and supportive services since 1994. The number of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has declined by 50% since 2010 — resulting from the GPD program and other VA efforts.

Visit the GPD program and list of grantees for more information.

(Posted 30 Jul 2020)

100 Miles for Hope

American Legion National Commander Bill Oxford literally took the first steps Aug. 3 on a new campaign to support the nation’s veterans, military families and their communities.

Oxford walked three miles in his hometown of Lenoir, N.C., to kick off the 100 Miles for Hope campaign which benefits The American Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF). He is encouraging members of The American Legion Family to accompany him on his journey to cover 100 miles by walking, running, cycling or riding a motorcycle 100 miles over the next 100 days, concluding on Veterans Day.

“We have been cooped up and self-isolating for so long that the 100 miles is a way to reintroduce exercise to Legionnaires and the country,” he said, noting the coronavirus. “In addition to what we gain from the exercise, we hope to gain some much needed donations for our Veterans & Children Foundation.”

Click to read more.

Rob Michaelson completed the 100 Miles of Hope and challenges all Post members to complete their 100 miles.

Read Rob's story. (click here)

(Last updated: 27 Aug 2020)

New Post 313 Commander
Don Gray

Attention Legionnaires:

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the support you have given me over the past year as 1st Vice Commander and the vote of confidence you have extended to me in allowing me to become your next Post Commander. I am excited to assume this position and know good things will happen in 2020-21. Can’t be worse than 2020 to date!! I ask each of you to support the Post as we proceed to the next chapter and continue the great work by our prior Commander Chuck Cecchini. Thanks Commander Chuck for all you did, continue to do and your support, friendship and mentorship of me.

Also, I want to extend my congratulations to all elected Officers of the Post and look forward to working with each of you. I will solicit your ideas and thoughts throughout the year, so please bring them forward. We may not always agree, but as adults and comrades, we will come to an understanding and move forward. Let’s have an exciting year!!

Just an FYI to all membership, we still have an Officer position, Service Officer, vacancy and would really appreciate someone stepping up to assume this job. Please consider serving your fellow Veterans and volunteer.

Don Gray 2020-2021 Post Commander

Some Post items to announce. The 4th of July Parade in Comfort has been cancelled. Maybe we can come up with something. The Post Coffee Club will resume meeting on June 24 at 10:00am at Kronkosky’s Place. We will adhere to all protocols of the CDC and practice social distancing, face masks, washing hands , etc. Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can give Kronkosky’s Place a head count for coffee, Anyone want tea or water instead, let me know. Need count by Wednesday next week. Thanks.

Again thanks for all support and let’s have a fun . productive year!!