NorthwestJuly 13, 2008

The American Legion is constantly revising its programs to keep them relevant to the nation's military veterans, their families and their communities, outgoing Idaho State Commandant Joe Foruria of Nampa said Saturday.

Foruria was among several Legion members, including past national commandant Dan Ludwig of Red Wing, Minn., who took time out from the state Legion convention at Lewiston on Saturday to recognize the service of residents of the Idaho State Veterans Home at Lewiston.

A commendation package including a certificate and letter signed by Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren was presented to each Army veteran as part of what is called the Army Freedom Team Salute Program.

The Legion is actively supporting veterans' needs, said Cleve Rice, national executive committeeman for the Idaho Legion.

Its lobbying team in Washington, D.C., put all its weight behind the revised GI Bill of Rights recently approved by Congress.

The American Legion wrote the first draft of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, the original GI Bill of Rights that opened a path to middle class America by making it possible to buy homes and go to college.

That was eroded over the years until the new legislation was approved that allows military veterans who serve at least three years to receive full tuition at any in-state public university, along with a monthly housing stipend.

"It really has raised the level again," Ludwig said.

With so many troops coming home with spinal cord and brain injuries, Ludwig said, "We have been very vocal ... with the VA Health Care system and the VA is working hard to try to rise to the occasion."

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On a local and state level, the Legion continues to support veterans homes with food caravans and items that may not be part of the budget, the Legion representatives said.

The Legion also encourages volunteers to provide recreational activities for the men and women who live in the homes by taking them fishing, to a ball game, or other community activities. It's also important, they said, to spend time in the homes visiting with the residents.

These people are proud to be veterans, Foruria said, and they need to be shown neither they nor their achievements are forgotten.

The Legion's message to every community and its residents, Foruria said, is "your country needs you. Continue to serve your community, if not through a veterans organization then through any organization that will make communities stronger. By doing that, America will continue to be stronger."

Everyone, not just veterans and their spouses, should give a little of their time to the people who truly are America's heroes, Rice said. An hour of visiting with residents of the home and listening to their stories will make a difference in their lives, he said.

"The road to freedom is never easy," Ludwig said. "And today, like so many generations in the past, it's being challenged again and it's imperative we as a free people understand the challenges and that we rise to the occasion."

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Lee may be contacted atslee@lmtribune.com or(208) 848-2266.

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