Legion Family Raising Funds for Recovering Heroes

The American Legion family is calling on all Americans to help purchase comfort items for troops recovering in U.S. military hospitals and warrior transition units around the world through its Operation Comfort Warriors campaign.

“The government does a good job of providing the essentials,” said American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein. “Through Operation Comfort Warriors we have been able to provide items that usually don’t appear in the budget, such as personal sweat suits, I-Pods, DVDs, phone calling cards and other comfort items. The American Legion family is challenging its members, friends and, in fact, all people, to give to those who have already given us so much. These gifts provide welcome distractions to the tediousness that often accompanies prolonged hospital stays.”

The American Legion family has already raised nearly $165,000 for Operation Comfort Warriors since its inception in December. Donors can make online contributions by visiting www.legion.org/ocw or by sending a check to Operation Comfort Warriors, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

Administrative and promotional costs for Operation Comfort Warriors are paid by The American Legion, allowing 100 percent of the donations to be spent directly on the troops.

The American Legion also plans to operate a donations booth at its 91st Annual National Convention in Louisville.

With a current membership of 2.6-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

Infantry Museum Coin to be Minted in 2012

Silver coin commemorating Soldiers and the new museum will raise $3.5 million

Congress has approved legislation creating an official coin commemorating the Infantry Soldier and the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Columbus, Georgia.

The legislation directs the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins “emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.” Congress permits the minting of only two such coins each year.

“This is a great project on so many fronts,” said National Infantry Foundation Chairman MG (Ret) Jerry White. “It not only honors Soldiers for their service and sacrifice, but also recognizes the importance of the new museum and Soldier Center as a world-class facility that will educate visitors and families on the role of the Infantry Soldier in securing and protecting the freedoms we all enjoy.”

350,000 coins will be minted for issuance in 2012. The $1 coins will sell for $10 each, raising $3.5 million to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the new museum.

The measure has been approved in the House and Senate, and is pending the President’s signature.