This week in stories, read about PACT Act timeliness that will require action, the 2023 Legacy Run registration deadline of Aug. 9, a new partnership that helps posts send care packages to servicemembers to boost morale and more.
1. Action needed with the PACT Act
There is no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits. However, there are upcoming timelines that will require urgent action by some individuals.
If you file your PACT Act claim — or submit your intent to file — by Aug. 9, 2023, you may receive benefits backdated to Aug. 10, 2022. That’s the date when President Biden signed the legislation into law. There also is a Sept. 30 deadline for some post-9/11 veterans to enroll for VA health care under a special one-year window opened by the PACT Act. The bill automatically assumes those who served in certain locations were exposed. Once they are enrolled, veterans' individual cases will dictate what benefits they will receive.
The important part is to enroll in VA by the end of September. You can start here.
Who is eligible to enroll in this scenario? Find out here along with links to additional resources. You are if you meet any of the following criteria:
Other VA news: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be conducting a scientific review to determine whether there is a relationship between three conditions and toxic exposures for servicemembers who deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and several other nations. The three conditions are acute leukemias, chronic leukemias, and multiple myeloma outside of the head and neck.
2. Be the One with ShipThrifty
American Legion Family members Rob and Michelle Williamson simplified the process of shipping for individuals and businesses in 2017 when they founded ShipThrifty, allowing shippers a cost-saving and hassle-free way to create, purchase and print their own shipping labels online with major carriers. A year later, they provided those same ShipThrifty benefits with military families to make shipping care packages to servicemembers overseas and stateside easy. Since then, hundreds of thousands of care packages have been delivered to America’s military men and women “to boost morale and bring those away from home a piece of home,” Michelle said.
ShipThrifty’s mission to support servicemembers, veterans and their families falls in line with The American Legion’s mission. Together, they have formed a partnership to continue caring for servicemembers through the shipping of care packages and the Legion’s Be the One suicide prevention initiative. Click here to learn more about this partnership and benefits American Legion posts receive by shipping through ShipThrifty.
Access more member benefits: From auto, travel, entertainment and more, visit legion.org/benefits to see all the discounts you can receive through your membership in The American Legion.
3. A war never forgotten
The 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending Korean War hostilities was Thursday, July 27. During the Korean War:
- 6.8 million American men and women served from June 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955.
- 54,200 Americans died in service during the hostilities that ended on July 27, 1953. Of these, 33,700 were battle deaths.
- There were 7,140 POWs during the war.
“Should the Korean War still be called the ‘Forgotten War’? Ask the people of South Korea. They have never forgotten the sacrifices made by the thousands of UN forces who helped save their country and are still standing guard today,” said Larry Williams, an Air Force veteran and Legionnaire whose uncle was killed at the Chosin Reservoir. “I saw an example of just how thankful they still are to the United States and its UN allies. I went on this year’s Texas South Plains Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in early June. After some of our veterans placed a wreath at the Korean War Memorial, a group of sharply dressed South Korean generals approached our group, thanked our Korean War veterans and had their picture taken with them and shook their hands and bowed. After that, they took a group photo nearby next to the words ‘Freedom is not Free’ etched in the wall of the memorial. These generals know what those words mean to their country, and they were honored to show us their appreciation. We should all honor our Korean War veterans as they do.”
Share your story: The American Legion wants to hear your military service story, or that of a loved one. You can share on Legiontown and submit photos.
4. Less than two weeks left to register for 2023 Legacy Run
Registration deadline for the 2023 American Legion Legacy Run is Aug. 9. Register here. The five-day, 1,100-mile ride will leave American Legion Post 6 in Kokomo, Ind., on Aug. 20 and travel through Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee before the final stop at the Hendrick Motorsports campus in Concord, N.C., on Aug. 24.
This is the last year that the annual motorcycle ride will raise funds for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships for children of U.S. military personnel killed while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, as well as for children of post-9/11 veterans with a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Starting in 2024, the Legacy Run will raise money for the Veterans and Children Foundation.
Support of Legacy Fund is visible: 2023 American Legion Legacy Scholarship recipient Colton Clay of Colorado Springs, Colo., shares how appreciative he is to The American Legion for investing in his education and honoring his father’s service.
5. Youth shine in Legion summer programs
The 100 rising high school seniors who are spending a week in Washington, D.C., for American Legion Boys Nation have elected a president from Kentucky, vice president from Louisiana, presented legislation focused on mental health and education, visited memorials honoring America’s veterans and more.
The American Legion Junior 3-Position Air Rifle Championship winners in the precision and sporter category were named Saturday, July 22, in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The precision winner was Jacob Wisman of Independence, W.Va., and the sporter winner was Charles Bratton of Clover, S.C.
Wisman, Clover and Boys Nation president David Daniel are invited to attend the 104th National Convention of The American Legion in Charlotte, N.C., next month to be honored alongside other Legion youth program champions.
Participate in the action: High school students interested government, speech, baseball and air rifle have the opportunity to participate in American Legion programs. Click the links to learn more about American Legion Boys State, Legion Baseball, Junior Shooting Sports and the Oratorical Contest and how to get involved.
- News