National Security

Department of Alaska

National Security Chairman - 2011-2012

Lynn Bash

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

Have you often wondered how your Unit, no matter how big or small, can do a wonderful thing for our troops and our Veterans? Operation Comfort Warriors is a program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded military personnel, providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government. Operation Comfort warriors, aka OCW, ensures that patients at U.S. military hospitals and warrior transition units are given items like sweat suits, DVDs, puzzles, electronic devices, books, calling cards and more. OCW also provides larger items such as ping pong tables, entertainment centers, computers, kayaks and other recreational goods for use by wounded warriors in common areas.

Since December 2008, the American Legion family has raised more than $600,000 for this effort, which has helped improve the quality of life for military men and women in hospital settings and warrior transition units. Included in this amount is a $250,000 grant awarded by Pepsi Cola after OCW won the most votes in Pepsi's Refresh Everything Project, finishing ahead of hundreds of other charities in an Internet voting competion. Am sure some of you remember that!

The Department of Defense estimates that nearly 40,000 American troops have been injured since the war on Terrorism started; countless others have been hospitalized. There's always an injured servicemember in need of comfort.

"The military is a high-risk and dangerous profession," said American Legion Past National Commander Jimmie Foster. "Operation Comfort Warriors will not make the injuries and disabilities go away, but it will show these heroes tht we care and appreciate the sacrifices that they have made on our behalf. Because the administrative costs are paid by The American Legion's headquarters budget, all money donated to OCW goes directly to assisting the troops. It's the least that we can do for these outstanding men and women.

I hope you and your Unit(s) think about donating to this very wonderful cause. What a wonderful way to start a New Year!