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National_Security
 
National
Security
Now, more than ever, all members of this great organization can do
something for our troops, the community, and your own families. Under National Security,
many different programs include support of our troops and their families.
Participation in crime prevention programs, the knowledge of and
participation in civil preparedness to name a few. Let us all get
involved in some way under this committee let us show Department President
Sue, that The Department of New York can have 100% participation.
Below are just some of the
many programs along with information on each one. Visit these websites
for more information. Spread the information to your families,
friends, your senior centers, boy and girl scouts, etc. Many of these
organizations are willing to help, they just need to be asked. Have
fun and remember to
Report, Report, and Report.
Programs and
Activities
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Coupon Clipping: This is a
great way to get members involved in the unit especially with rising
costs. Ask members to cut coupons for our military families to be
sent to both commissaries overseas and stateside. Units and
individuals can also purchase gift certificates from military commissaries
for active military families. For more information on this go to
www.commissaries.com
or call 1-800-877-4458.
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Operation Toasty Toes:
Most of our members know about Operation Toasty Toes.
For our new members, it was founded by Irene Silliman of Madison, Ohio in
1977 as a gift for her grandson stationed in the Persian Gulf. With
the help of her friends, Mrs. Silliman sent 1000 pairs of slippers to her
grandson’s entire unit. Since then, Operation Toasty Toes has
expanded to 17 chapters nationwide. Some chapters make more than the
slippers.
Click here for the pattern along with the address of where
to send them. With the upcoming winter, this is a great project to
pass along to everyone. Make sure to count them and report your
numbers.
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Neck Coolers:
Another great project our members can make are neck coolers
for our military personnel suffering from the extreme heat of the desert.
Why not get the Juniors and SAL involved in this rewarding project.
Ask your local senior center if they would like to help.
Click here for
Instructions. Neck Coolers are © and we are
using the pattern with permission.
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Care Packages:
Making up and sending care packages to our troops abroad is
always welcomed. Please make sure you send only approved items.
Check with the Post Office for approved items, mail requirements, and
restrictions. Packages must be sent to a specific person.
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Landstuhl Hospital Care Project:
The Landstuhl Hospital Care Project is a
non-profit organization that provides comfort and relief items for
military members who become sick, injured, or wounded from service in
Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. Donated items are distributed to
military patients at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, the
largest American military hospital outside the U.S., and to field
hospitals in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Website is
www.landstuhlhospitalcareproject.org.
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Soldiers’ Angels: is
a (501)©(3) non-profit all volunteer organization founded in 2003 by Patti
Patton-Bader, mother of a deployed soldier. The Soldiers’ Angels
mission is to provide aide and comfort to any of the armed forces and
their families. This year they have a “Wrapped in Holiday Spirit” campaign
to provide packages to more than 180,000 armed forces deployed in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Visit their Website
www.soldiersangels.org
for more information on this program. |
American
Legion and Unit Support
Units and individuals can
help support their Legion family by participating in and organizing
activities that are recognized under the American Legion.
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Blood Donor Programs:
are always welcomed by the American Red Cross.
Donations are always needed, particularly during wartime. Now,
approximately 10% of eligible people donate blood, leaving 90% who do not.
Speak with your Post and host a one-day blood drive. Contact your
local American Red Cross. The best gift to give is the Gift of Life.
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ROTC & Junior ROTC:
(Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) is one of the best
leadership courses offered in college and some high schools. During
classes and field training, students learn first hand what it takes to
lead others, motivate groups and how to conduct missions. If there
is a local ROTC or Jr. ROTC in your area, get involved. Present them
with bonds, awards, medals, or certificates. Invite them to march in
a local parade.
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U.S. Savings Bonds:
Continue purchasing U.S. Savings Bonds as an
investment in our country. Bonds purchased by the Unit and given as
awards and in presentations can be reported. Personal purchases do
not qualify for reporting. U.S. Savings Bonds can be incorporated in
many other programs in the American Legion Auxiliary. |
Family and
Military Support
During these times of
deployment of our military, we can all do something to help. Our
troops need our support as well and their families. I am sure every
members in the American Legion Family knows someone serving our country,
whether a family member or a friend. Let us all show our support by
doing our part. Host an event at your Post. Below is a sample of ways
we can get involved
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Month of the Military Child: April
is the month of the military child. Do something special for them.
Remember them year round and especially during the holidays.
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National Military Appreciation Month:
This is the month of May. Plan something
special. For more information on this, visit the Website.
Website
www.nmam.org
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America Supports you:
is a Department of Defense program that provides
opportunities for citizens to show their support for the U.S. Armed
Forces. The program was started in 2004 in an effort to highlight
citizen support for our military and to communicate that support to the
members both stateside and abroad. For more information, visit their
Website at
www.americasupportsyou.mil
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Welcome Home Activities: Find
out when servicemen and women are arriving home. Welcome them back
at the airport with a welcome home banner and an American flag. Say
thank you, and salute them. They deserve it. Host a dinner at
your local Post and present them with certificates of appreciation, honor
them and their families. Recognize these servicemen and women at
your next parade. There are many other ideas. Be creative and
most of all respect them.
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Blue Star Banner:
Identify families with active military personnel in your
community and provide them with a banner. Some families have more
than one family member serving. You can present the banners at a
meeting or special event. Banners are available thru Emblem Sales
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Blue Star Mothers:
was founded in 1942. Their original goals were to
bring sons home, ensure they received the benefits they deserved, help
service members’ families, and help each other and to support one another.
They now include hospital work, rehabilitation and children’s welfare and
civil defense. For more information, visit their Website at
www.bluestarmothers.org
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POW/MIA: POW/MIA
Remembrance day is September 18, 2009. Continue to
contact your local congressional representative regarding a full
accounting of all Americans who are missing in action. Conduct
POW/MIA ceremonies at functions, meetings, etc. of the American Legion
Family. Host a candle light ceremony and invite the community to
participate in the MIA/POW ceremony. The National League of Families
Website is
www.powmialeague.org |
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"The Dispatch", an
American Legion publication is one of the best sources of current
information. The cost of a subscription is $15/per year and may be
obtained from: The American Legion DISPATCH, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis,
IN 46206
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Let's Say Thanks: This
website gives you an opportunity to send a free printed postcard to U.S.
Military Personnel stationed overseas showing your support and
appreciation for their service to our country.
www.letssaythanks.com
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Sesame Street Workshop:
Talk, listen, connect is a series of two DVD’s designed
specifically for children of military service members. These DVD’s,
are available through Military One Source, and are great tools for parents
and children alike. Units can purchase these and present them to
active deployed families in your area.
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Military One Source: Is
funded by the Department of Defense, Military One Source is the online
resource for active and recently retired members of the military.
This site also provides wonderful resources for those serving these
families. Website
www.militaryonesource.com
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Operation Military Kids:
This is the Army’s collaborative effort with
America’s communities to support the children and youth impacted by
deployment. This initiative, of which the American Legion Family is
directly involved, was launched in April 2005. Website
www.operationmilitarykids,org/public/home.aspx
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U.S.O.:
Since WWII, the USO has been a proud supporter of our
military personnel at home and abroad. This nonprofit organizations
main mission is to support our troops by boosting morale and providing
recreation-type services to the troops. There are over 130 centers
worldwide. Donations are always welcome and needed. Website
www.uso.org
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Cell Phones For Soldiers:
Was founded in 2004 by two teenagers from Norwell, MA.
After reading a story about a soldier who ran up a huge phone bill calling
home from Iraq, these two teenagers decided to help out. They
started by opening an account with $21.00 of their own money. Since
then, Cell Pones For Soldiers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization. Their efforts have motivated people and businesses
around the country to donate to this worthy cause. Their goal is to
provide every U.S. Soldier with a way to call home for free. There
are many drop off sites across the state. They also have a pre-paid
mailing label that can be printed off their website. This is a great
project for teens and Legion Families to participate in. It is a
place to get rid of old cell phones and help our military at the same
time. Website,
www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
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Civil
Preparedness
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Citizen
Corps: The American Legion Family is an affiliated partner of
Citizen Corps. Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the
Department of Homeland Security and works closely with the Corporation for
National and Community service to promote volunteer service activities
that support homeland security and community safety. Some programs
under Citizen Corps are the following:
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CERT: The Community
Emergency Response Team is a program administered by FEMA’s Community
Preparedness Division. CERT is a training program that prepares
people to help themselves, their families and their neighbors in the event
of a disaster in their community. Through CERT, citizens can learn
about disaster preparedness and receive training in basic disaster
response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster
medical operations. With this training, volunteers can provide
critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims before
emergency first responders arrive on the scene. CERT volunteers also
support the community year-round by
participating in community preparedness outreach activities, and
distributing materials on disaster preparedness and education.
www.citizencorps.gov/cert/index.shtm
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The responsibility of
community preparedness rests with each citizen and proper training is key
to a safe and informed society. Establish a combined effort with
your American Legion Post and or community leaders to host a CERT program
either in a Post home or community center.
Designate National Preparedness Month in
September, your goal for CERT training to begin. Media attention is
crucial to success. Community mapping is an excellent way to engage
many levels of local
government and citizens so no one is ever left behind in the event of a
disaster as some areas may require special response efforts. Teen
CERT Programs involve our young adults in keeping communities safe.
Give them the opportunity to be a part of the community.
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Fire Corps: promotes
the use of citizen advocates (volunteers) to support and augment the
capacity of resource-constrained fire and emergency service departments at
all levels; volunteer, combination, and career. National Fire
prevention month is October. Plan a safety workshop at your home
post and invite the community. www.firecorps.org
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Medical Reserve Corps:
The Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve
Corps Program reports directly to the Surgeon General of the U.S. in the
Department of Health and Human Services. This corps strives to improve the
health and safety of communities across the country by organizing and
utilizing public health, medical and other volunteers who want to donate
their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Volunteer MRC units accomplish this mission by supplementing existing
emergency and public health resources during local emergencies and other
times of community need. www.medicalreservecorps.gov
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USA on Watch: USA
on Watch is the face of the National Neighborhood Watch Program.
Time tested practices such as “eyes and ears” training and
target-hardening techniques continue to be at the core of the program.
As groups continue to grow, the roles of citizens have become more
multifaceted and tailored to local needs. USA on Watch empowers
citizens to become active in homeland security efforts through community
participation. USA on Watch provides information, training,
technical support and resources to local law enforcement agencies and
citizens.
www.usaonwatch.org
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Volunteers in Police Service: (VIPS)
The Volunteers in Police Service Program serves as a gateway to
information for law enforcement agencies, and citizens interested in law
enforcement volunteer programs. The programs ultimate goal is to
enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement agencies by
incorporating the time and skills that volunteers can contribute.
www.policevolunteers.org
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Ready Program Are You Ready:
An In-depth guide to Citizen Preparedness
(IS-22) is FEMA’s most comprehensive source on individual, family, and
community preparedness. The guide has been revised, updated, and
enhanced in 2004 to provide the public with the most current disaster
preparedness information available. There is also a Ready Program
for Kids, Business, and America. Visit
www.fema.gov/areyouready/
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DEPARTMENT AWARDS
COUNTY
AWARD:
JANE CUNION PLAQUE:
To the COUNTY
National Security Chairman doing the most outstanding work on the program.
Entry to include a narrative of the past year's work, not to exceed 500
words, completed National Security Report Form and related newspaper
publicity and photos. Cover sheet to include Name and Address of
Chairman and Name of County.
UNIT
AWARDS:
IRENE TANNER PLAQUE:
To the UNIT National Security
Chairman submitting the most outstanding report of overall National Security
Activities. Report must be typewritten, not to exceed 1,000 words,
double-spaced and contain a cover sheet with the Unit Name and Number, Unit
Membership, and Name and Address of Chairman. News articles and photos may
be included.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD: To the UNIT
National Security Chairman conducting the most Outstanding Special Project
relating to any program and/or activity encompassed within the National
Security Committee. Report to be typewritten, not to exceed 1,000 words,
double-spaced. News clippings, photos, and publicity may be included.
Cover sheet to include Name and Address of Chairman, Name and Number of Unit
and Name of County.
Deadline
Dates:
All award entries must be received by the Department National Security
Chairman on or before May 10, 2009
NATIONAL
AWARDS
MILITARY SUPPORT UNIT AWARD:
A citations plaque presented to a Unit in each division that
reports the Most Outstanding Overall Program supporting military families
with special emphasis on enhancing quality of life and helping them through
times of family member deployment and/or injury (severely wounded). Entry
must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words. May
include pictures (no more than 5) and news articles.
Entries must be received by Department Chairman no later than May 10,
2009.
ALA ROTC/JROTC UNIT PROGRAM CERTIFICATES:
Certificates presented to Unit chairman reporting the Most Outstanding
Promotion of the ROTC/JROTC Program through the ALA in the department. A
report form will be established shortly.
Entries must be received by Department Chairman no later than May 10, 2009.
Department President's Award
To the Unit that offers the best National Security program
that demonstrates support of a military family in need. This family must
have at least one (1) parent who is actively deployed at the time of the
assistance. Support can be in any form, however, this award will go to the
Unit that goes above and beyond monetary support.
Entries should be submitted in typewritten form not to exceed 1,000 words.
Cover sheet must include Unit Name and phone number. Pictures, newspaper
clippings, etc. can be included.
REPORTING
PROCEDURE:
Forms
are in (PDF Format
 )
and can be filled out using your computer keyboard.
However,
you
cannot save data typed into any
forms unless you have the Full Version of
Adobe Acrobat software! Please print at least 2 copies of
your completed form, mail one
to the chairman, and save one for your records.
If you try to e-mail it without
the Full Version of Adobe Acrobat software,
the chairman will receive
a
BLANK PAGE...Include hours spent, number of volunteers,
the number of Units and the value of anything you do. Mileage should
be reported at $.35 per mile and included in the dollar values for
activities.
Unit Chairmen: Please use
the
Unit Report Form and send it to your County Chairmen by November 1,
2009, March 1, 2010 and May 1, 2010.
County Chairmen:
Please use the
County Report Form and send it to the Dept. Chairman by November 10,
2010, March 10, 2011 and May 10, 2011.
National Security
Chairman
American Legion Auxiliary
Department of NY
E-mail:
Note:
For Chairman's physical address, contact
Chairman or
Department
Office
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REPORTING
One of the most important responsibilities of
Unit Committee Chairmen
is to report the activities and work
on their programs.
This comprises all of the work done by the more than 50,000 members in
our Department.
The Unit Chairmen report to the
County Chairmen, who in turn
report to the Department Chairmen.
The Department's report to National is
the factor that makes the
outstanding reports at the National Convention.
Chairmen are encouraged to enter all contests. |
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