News and Information
To download a copy of our current SMILE & latest
Membership Report click here.
Get the latest free version of Acrobat Adobe Reader here:
As previously announced, all Legionnaires now have the opportunity to assure their enrollment in LegionCare, the newly enhanced Accidental Death benefit available at No-Cost to all Legionnaires. LegionCare is a one-of-a-kind benefit offered exclusively to Legionnaires.
· 24/7 protection that covers Legionnaires at home, at work and while they are travelling away from home available for all Legionnaires in your Department.
The LegionCare postcards will be provided to Department Adjutants and Post Leaders in May 2012. Legionnaires may also activate their coverage by going online at www.theLIT.com.
95% of Hearing Loss could be corrected with hearing aids!
As an American Legion member, you, your family and extended family will receive hearing discounts from HearPO, those discounts include:
- Guaranteed Lowest pricing guarantee*
- Access to one of the largest hearing healthcare networks - over 2,700 locations nationwide.
- Selection of over 1000 models from 8 leading manufacturers
- 3-Year warranty, one of the longest in the industry, covering repairs, and 3-Year loss & damage coverage.**
- Full, free 60-Day trial period with no restocking fee.
- Free multi-year supply of batteries (maximum 160 cells per hearing aid).
- One year aftercare service free with purchase of hearing aid(s)
- Financing available
* Competitor coupon required for verification of price and model. Limited to manufacturers offered through the HearPO program. Local provider quotes only will be matched.
** Some exclusions apply. Limited to one-time claim for loss and damage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Simple 3-Step Process to access your discounts
1. Call Toll Free 1-888-689-6281 (or visit www.hearpo.com/legion) and a Client Services Representative will assist you in finding a hearing care provider near you. Mention you are with The American Legion.
2. The HearPO representative will explain the process, answer your questions, obtain your mailing information and assist you in making the appointment with a hearing care provider nearby.
3. HearPO will send an authorization packet to you and the provider. This will ensure your HearPO benefit is activated. You are responsible for the total bill, less the applicable savings, at the time service is provided.
It's that Easy!
Click the above logo to view the latest issue
of The Maine Legionnaire newspaper.
March - April 2012
January - February 2012
If you receive The Maine Legionnaire newspaper via mail and would rather view it online, please notify The American Legion, Department of Maine at 873-3229 or email: legionme@mainelegion.org or rachael@mainelegion.org
Date: April 28, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Waterville Post 5
Department Commander/Department President/SAL Detachment Commander Testimonials:
The Department Testimonial for Department Commander Brenda Dearborn, Department President Margaret Johnson, and SAL Detachment Commander Brian Danforth will be held Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The American Legion Post 5 in Waterville. Meal includes beef stew, finger rolls, salad, vegetable platter, fruit platter and cake at $7.50 per person. Hotel reservations will be your own responsibility.
Please send check for meal reservations to the Department of Maine, P.O. Box 900, Waterville 04903. Cutoff date for reservations is April 20, 2012. Tickets will be handed out at the door.
MYLEGION.ORG
Access to MyLegion is now open to all Legion Members and Post/Department Leaders.
MyLegion.org is a website designed to connect members of The American Legion to their Post and Department leadership, other veterans with similar interests, and the vast array of services offered at every level of the organization. Click here for more information and access to Mylegion.org.
DD-214
It's official; DD-214s are NOW Online.
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s
online: http://vetrecs.archives.gov
This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his DD-214 for employment purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.
Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents.
Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard form 180, which can be downloaded from the online web site. Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records centers mailroom and processing time.
Please pass this information on to former military personnel you may know and their dependents.
AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE
Vietnam-era veterans who have medical diagnoses for three presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure need to file their disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs by Aug. 30 in order to qualify for up to one year of retroactive benefits.
|
The three diseases recently added to VA's list of presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure or other herbicides during the Vietnam War are ischemic heart disease, hairy cell and other B-cell leukemias, and Parkinson's disease.
|
||
|
|
THE DEPARTMENT OF MAINE
|
|
AWARDS AND RULES |
|
POST NEWS LETTER
|
|
POST HISTORY BOOKPOST YEARBOOK
|
Department Historian
943-0938
email: dick.graves58@yahoo.com
Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes
The following is quoted as an excerpt from the Maine law, which will exempt most Legion Post homes from real estate or personal property taxes levied by municipalities.
“E. The real estate and personal property owned, occupied and used for their own purposes by posts of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, (other organizations also named)………..that are used solely by those organizations for meetings, ceremonials or instruction or to further the charitable activities of the organization, including all facilities appurtenant to such use and used in connection therewith. If an organization is not the sole occupant of the property, the exemption granted under this paragraph applies only to that portion of the property owned, occupied and used by the organization for its purposes.”
“An organization or institution that desires to secure exemption under this section shall make written application and file written proof of entitlement for each parcel to be considered on or before the first day of April in the year in which the exemption is first requested with the assessors of the municipality in which the property would otherwise be taxable.
If granted, the exemption continues in effect until the assessors determine that the organization or institution is no longer qualified. Proof of entitlement must indicate the specific basis upon which the exemption is claimed.”
These are two excerpts from the law, which is approximately seven pages long, to allow American Legion Posts to claim an exemption from municipal property taxes. We have copies of the entire law here at the HQ office if anyone would like a copy, just call and we will get it in the mail to you. Or see it at the State of Maine Statutes page here. (link opens in a new window)
Presidential Memorial Certificate
The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation’s grateful recognition of a veteran’s service. The veteran’s name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President.
ELIGIBILITY – Certificates are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Eligible recipients include next of kin, other relatives and friends. The award of a certificate to one eligible recipient does not preclude certificates to other eligible recipients. The veteran may have died at any time in the past. The local VA regional office generally originates the application for a Presidential Memorial Certificate if a veteran’s death is brought to official attention. The next of kin may request a certificate when a service member dies on active duty or if the veteran was not receiving a VA benefit. Requests should be accompanied by a copy of a document such as a discharge to establish honorable service. VA regional offices can assist in applying for certificates. If you would like to request a Presidential Memorial Certificate or if you requested one more than eight (8) weeks ago and have not received it yet, VA asks that you either:
1. Fax your request and all supporting documents (copy of discharge and death certificate) to: (202) 565-8054, or
2. Mail your request and all supporting documents using either the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial mail service, such as one of the overnight or express mail delivery services, to:
Presidential Memorial Certificates (41A1C)
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3903
If you have any questions about a certificate you have received, a request you have already sent in, or about the program in general, you may call (202) 565-4964.
American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund
We are raising funds to ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families. Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty. An education is a powerful way to show our thanks. That is why we have established the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. But we need your help.
A Critical Gap
The American Legion fights to see that our active-duty military personnel and their families are looked after. But despite our efforts, recent years have seen a significant shortfall in dollars allotted by our government. The educational benefit provided to surviving children is one of these critical gaps.
The total survivor benefit for these children is slightly more than $37,000 to be used for a college education. In today’s dollars, this benefit will pay little more than half of what a college education costs in the most affordable situation. This gap widens when considering the cost of a college education in the future. The most conservative estimate is that costs will increase by 5 percent per year, meaning that in 16 years, the most affordable college education will be $105,800. Military compensation will not keep up with these dramatic increases.
Join Our Effort
Money provided by law simply has not kept up with what a higher education costs today, let alone what college will cost in years to come. Remember, these children are the direct descendants of people who died protecting our country. Their parents made the ultimate sacrifice. The least we can do is make sure they are provided for.
We need your help to make The American Legion American Legacy Scholarship a reality. Too many men and women in uniform have died in the fight to preserve our nation’s freedoms. Together, we can make sure their children have the opportunity these parents were unable to provide. We encourage you to give generously to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Help us to bridge the gap and restore the faith of these special children.
