The Oakland Memorial Day parade and ceremonies were co-sponsored by the Public Events Committee and The American Legion Post. Speakers in the pictorial setting of Veteran’s Park soon provided residents with solemn reminders of the day’s purpose, and in so doing inducted another generation into the responsibility of honoring those who have died. With a country at war, local dignitaries gave residents pause to consider the sacrifices made by those who serve, and residents took the time to remember those sacrifices on this sacred day.
The American Legion remembers. Members testified before Congress on the lack of care for mentally disabled veterans; they condemned the hospital system and said administration of relief for veteran’s had broken down. This was in response to a dramatic increase in veteran suicides. Dr. Thomas Salmon of New York, a retired Colonel in the Army Medical Corps, testified that 400 former soldiers had taken their own lives in New York State in the past year. Dr. Salmon’s testimony took place on July 6th, 1921; the past year he spoke of was 1920; and, he was describing veterans of WWI.
The America Legion, in response to today’s scandal concerning veteran’s health care, has coordinated with the Department of Defense to have a staff service officer on post at Walter Reed Hospital. As a national organization, they have partnered with Salute Heroes, to administer one thousand grants of five hundred dollars each to disabled veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It’s something that might provide an extra comfort, or allow a vet to get something special for their kids. Something that helps continue the real work on the local level where it is neighbor helping neighbor.
Like many veteran organizations, The American Legion has seen it’s membership rolls steadily decline over the last several years as older veteran’s die and younger ones are less inclined to join. But that trend ended this year with the organization adding fourteen thousand new members. An American Legion Post, in that bastion of conservatism, San Francisco, is making great strides in promoting younger veterans by, “…assisting these honored veterans in their return home by providing a conduit for educational, medical, vocational, and social support and benefits; and giving true meaning to their continued success by encouraging the same selfless service in our community at home that they have already demonstrated to the country while serving.”
Known as Post 911, they welcome members of all ages and from all branches of service, and they were the first nationally chartered post dedicated to Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. They are the only Veterans Organization being formed with the sanctioned backing of the American Legion. They actively promote the rich history of The American Legion which, chartered by The United States Congress in 1919, has worked for the GI Bill, strong national defense, and full status for women back in 1919– before the Constitution allowed them to vote. Americans throughout the country are taking up their new campaign to transition from the plentiful stickers and magnets of “We Support the Troops”, and spread a new call “We Do For The Troops”.
For those residents who missed the parade sponsored by The American Legion Post and the Public Events Committee, you can look for it on Oakland’s channel 77.
Below is a short video describing the support American Legion Posts are offering veterans around the nation on the local level.
Also,on a separate page, we wish to use the spirit of the day to remind our readers of the sacrifice Patrolman Danny Hughes made 30 years ago. Please click here to learn the story behind Ptl. Danny Hughes