Buddy Checks
IT'S AS SIMPLE AS A PHONE CALL
We consider it our most sacred responsibility to look out for each other and our fellow veterans. Since May 2019, by way of an organization-wide Resolution, Legionnaires conduct Buddy Checks during the weeks of The American Legion’s birthday, March 15, and Veterans Day. Legion posts also perform this vital function whenever it makes the most sense in their communities.
Legionnaires are also proud to participate in The Department of Veterans Affairs National Buddy Check Week, launched in 2023.
Download the Buddy Check Toolkit
This PDF Tool Kit includes how-to steps for organizing your own Buddy Check, scripts and Post FAQ cheat sheets to help your volunteers start a conversation and share information on how your Post can help them and the community.
“There is nothing much better than connecting with others and letting them know that you care. We learned of members who were in poor health, needed assistance with VA benefits, wanted to attend meetings but had no means of transportation, and were home bound and lonely and could use a visit/camaraderie.”
Sherri Marquis, Public Affairs Director, Connecticut Post 101
“It’s really important to find out if they have any needs, how they’re doing. They’ve always been important, but it feels a bit more important now.”
Chaplain Chris Talley, Roxbury, N.C., Post 138
From the article, “COVID-19 Not Stopping Legion Posts from Checking Up, Helping Out”
“I thought that some of these guys or girls are going to get to a point where they can’t leave home. What should we do to make sure – especially if they don’t have family – that we’re taking care of them? We want to make sure they have food. (Doing) something as easy as going to the pharmacy picking up meds for them, just so they don’t have to come out in the middle of this.”
Legionnaire Jennifer Havlick on her post’s “enhanced Buddy Check program” to connect with veterans in the community during the pandemic - Two Harbors, Minn.
“We’re making sure we’re checking in with our most vulnerable veterans, and trying to make sure they’re OK. Now, more than ever, due to social distancing, we want to make sure that our more vulnerable veterans aren’t being left too alone. We need to make sure they’re doing well both mentally and physically.”
Legionnaire Chris Page, on the critical importance of Buddy Checks during the pandemic - Weehawken, N.J., Post 18
“I received a text message out of the blue from a new Legionnaire friend I met last week at Fall Meetings. The Buddy Check text began as, ‘BUDDY CHECK, Sister!!! I hope all is well with you and family and you made it back safely.’ It meant so much to me that a peer had reached out to me to make sure I was ok and safe. Buddy Checks matter!”
Ninzel Rasmuson, Past Department of Utah Commander
From the article, "Legionnaires Make the Call During Buddy Check Week"
SHARE YOUR BUDDY CHECK EXPERIENCES
Want to share your experiences with Buddy Check events at your own post, or your experiences receiving a Buddy Check? Visit Legiontown.org/buddy-checks to read more or share your own buddy check story here.