Challenge to Legionnaires from the next National Commander

The Department of MAryland played host to the next National Commander David Rehbein, during the Department Convention in July. Legionnaire Rehbein address the delegates gathered for the opening ceremonies starting the 89th Annual convention.

At the end of WWI, the Army Expedition Forces fresh from their victory, gathered at the urging of General Pershing and created a new organization, The American Legion. Legionnaire Dave recalled how each member of the AEF returned with pride and in the next 12 years the American Legion grew from 0 members to 1 million members. Their accomplishments and the pride of the Legionnaires who have followed in there footsteps is what he hopes to rekindle in all legionnaires. The Legionnaires in the room are the sparks that will rekindle the flames of pride in the American Legion.

Upon return from France the new American Legion organization focused on Americanism, National Security, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Children and Youth. The American Legion’s Veterans Affairs “A System Worth Saving” inspection program has completed it’s inspection of VA Hospitals. Commander Dave said that now it is time for the VA to open the system to Category 8 veterans.

Legionnaire Dave is not a secret Legionnaire, he wears his American Legion belt buckle, under his suit, at work and everywhere. He shows off his pride of being a member of the American Legion, and he is encouraging every American Legion member to show theirs. Display you Legion Pride. We have stood tall for 89 years and those who are on active duty and are serving today will need our help in ensuring their benefits are still there when they need them.

Legionnaire Dave mentioned that the New GI Bill was signed, almost restoring educational benefits to where they were after WWII. When this new GI Bill takes effect, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines will no longer have to pay $100 a month to receive educational benefits. The benefits are now going to be transferable! A big benefit that was not available in days past..

He went on to challenge every American Legion Post to get out and perform or hold a community service event. In Iowa, where Dave Rehbein hails from there was a tornado that demolished a third of the town. The American Legion Post was unaffected by the tornado and it immediately opened it's doors to those in need. It became the emergency operation center, the central distribution point for supplies and for food. All in all, this small post reached out to everyone in thier comunity and they did make a difference.

This year as Legionnaire in the Department of Maryland we should all go out and make out presence known, for things other than what people see us as. They see a bar and old tired vets, we are none of those, we are Still Serving America, through countless programs such as Oratorical Contests, Schollarships, American Legion Baseball, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Public Safety awards, School awards, veterans affairs and rehabilitation programs. We need to get the work out the we are still serving!

Bob Ouellette