President Obama visits with Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VA healthcare will not be endangered by national system, says President Obama

Promise made during private meeting with National Commander of The American Legion

WASHINGTON (Aug. 4, 2009) – President Obama, meeting privately with the leader of nation’s largest veterans service organization this morning, pledged to keep the medical care system administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs essentially as is – quelling fears that VA healthcare would be absorbed into a national health care system.
“(I) got his very strong assurance the VA as our veterans know it will continue to exist,” said National Commander David K. Rehbein. “It will not be diluted or folded into some sort of national system and that the folks who go to the VA…that will be considered their insurance, so any insurance requirements (will be met) simply by being enrolled in the VA.”
Another topic discussed during the one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office was Medicare reimbursement to the VA, a proposal long championed by The American Legion. This proposed practice would require Medicare to pay for care provided at Department VA medical facilities to Medicare beneficiaries – that is, eligible veterans over the age of 65 with non-service related injuries, illnesses and conditions. Currently, Medicare is precluded by statute from doing this.
“Medicare reimbursement to VA would be a boon to veterans in that it would encourage them to take advantage of what we consider the best care anywhere,” said Rehbein. It would also generate much-needed revenue for the VA.” The “Medicare VA Reimbursement Act of 2009” resulted from a discussion Rehbein had with House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) at the Legion’s DC headquarters just three weeks ago. “I am pleased that Chairman Filner visited with us and then took prompt action,” Rehbein said.
Obama and Rehbein also discussed the positive effects that the enhanced educational benefits contained within the newly enacted and American Legion-pioneered Post 9/11 GI Bill will have on the veterans community and the nation as a whole.
The vexing problem of a dramatically growing backlog of VA benefits claims was also considered by the two. Rehbein said he feels the president “fully appreciates” its gravity and will do what he can to aid in its solution.
Rehbein, obviously pleased with the meeting’s outcome, characterized the 25-minute White House chat as “very friendly…conversational in style” in which “issues were discussed rather than positions being presented.”
With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
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Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-088 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.

Why be an American Legion Rider?

I wrote this a few years ago and the friend mentioned at the end was my good friend Greg "EBay" Hansen. He was a good deal responsible for me becoming a Legion Rider and being as active as I have been. This is still how I feel today and I have no better way of expressing what being an American Legion Rider is to me.

After reading this, please share your comments on Why and What the Legion Riders is to you.

Thanks,

Don "Bulldog" Behrens
Kansas American Legion Riders
Area Director

Lately while searching for more ways to entice more members into being more active, I decided to list why I had become An American Legion Rider.I had already been involved with the American Legion as both Legion and S.A.L., Charity Golf and Bowling Tournaments. I rarely even walked into the Post. Now I walk into several Posts and known on site.

I was already a member of the Patriot Guard, but I saw something while attending Missions and Homecomings that drew me into it. I saw something that I had not seen since my active duty service, most particularly during my time in Vietnam. The Camaraderie from that time period, I saw between Legion Riders. What was most amazing, it was not only shared between Vietnam Vets, it was shared between everyone in the Riders, SAL and Aux alike. I have never seen this ever before. I was drawn to it and wanted to be a part of it. I have not seen this sharing between the Regular Legion, SAL, and Aux, only in the Legion Riders and those that become involved with Us.

Being An American Legion Rider is very Special to Me and everyday becomes more so. It has shown me programs within the Legion that I didn't have a clue existed. Those programs must continue and being First and Foremost a Legionnaire (Something that came to me after becoming involved) it will take my generation and the following generations to do it. Another thing that the Legion Riders has been able to do, is to bridge the generation gap and bring several generations together to work together.

This was originally was only for myself, but after speaking with a Friend, he wanted to see it, so I thought I would share it. We have something very Special in the Kansas American Legion Riders, that even other States haven't seen as yet. I hope that it will continue to blossom.

Thank All of You for Sharing With Me,

Don "Bulldog" Behrens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Military and veterans health care should not be part of any national health care bill, says The American Legion

WASHINGTON (July 22, 2009) – The national commander of the nation’s largest veterans service organization has reacted to tonight’s urgent call by President Barack Obama for national health care reform.

“While The American Legion appreciates the complexity of the healthcare reform challenge facing the President and Congress,” said David K. Rehbein, “on behalf of our nation's 26-million veterans and the nearly two million personnel now on active duty in more than 130 countries, we urge Congress to ensure that veterans’ and military health care not be part of any national health care bill. They should be exempt in the legislation.”

Rehbein added, “Our nation must maintain its long standing tradition that veterans’ and military health care systems will remain independent and focused on our most deserving citizens.

“The American Legion has a proud tradition of securing and preserving the earned benefits of America’s veterans,” Rehbein said. “Ensuring timely access to quality healthcare for today’s military and veterans is of paramount concern. These are the citizens who have borne our battles in previous wars as they still are in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have earned our care the hard way. We, as a nation, have an obligation to ensure that their healthcare is not compromised,” he concluded.

With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
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Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-0887 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.

Progressive Insurance supports the Legacy Run

Our thanks to the men and women at Progressive Insurance, our newest American Legion Legacy Run supporters.

Here's your pop quiz of the day, and it's not an easy one:

"What is the make of motorcycle featured at the top of the page of the Progress Motorycle Insurance website www.motorcycle.progressive.com?"

First THREE correct answers emailed to legionriders@legion.org (AWACS) gets a free 2006 original-issue American Legion Legacy Run patch. Don't forget to include your mailing address.

ALR in IRAQ

I have attached a picture of SFC Andy Swenson stationed in Iraq who also is a member of American Legion Riders Post 298, Battle Creek, MI. Although Andy could not attend our events he keeps the mission of the Riders in his actions in Iraq. Andy is missed very much by his fellow Riders, including his wife Jen Swenson. Jen is prior Army herself and has been in charge of the home front while Andy is away. He will return home sometime later this summer for a short leave then it's back to business.

Tom Starkweather, Director
American Legion Riders
Post 298 Battle Creek, MI

Legion Riders raise $21,000 for Kids Cancer Camp

Alabama Legion Riders raise $21,000
American Legion Rider Chapter 107 in Leeds, Ala., donates the money to camp for children with cancer.

See more about Camp Smile-a-Mile on The American Legion Online Update at www.legion.org.

Air Force Red Horse Squadron Cooks for Legacy Run

Members of the Silver Flag Training Site, Det 1, 823rd Red Horse Squadron, Tyndall AFB, cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for the recent Legion Riders Poker Run held at Post 356, Lynn Haven, FL, June 6th.

Members stood out in the heat and cooked all day and raised $447.00. They wrote a check to the Legacy Run that day and it will be delivered to the National Commander by Mike and Tina Kirchoff during the Legacy Run.

Thanks to all the members for their hard work and dedication!