Legion official visits New Ulm

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The national commander of the American Legion visited the New Ulm Post Monday and discussed the issues regarding the organization and veterans.

Thomas L. Bock of Colorado, a Vietnam War-era veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, plans to visit 15 Legion posts across the state this week.

Some of the most pressing issues facing the American Legion include membership and retention, Veterans Administration funding and supporting the war on terrorism.

"We need to share information with current and potential members," Bock said. "We care for vets. Legionnaires are veterans too."

Regarding the war on terrorism, Bock said America is not the enemy.

"Terrorists are the enemy, but the American Legion and Tom Bock have not declared war on war protesters. Like us, they have the right to free speech," he said.

Last August, the American Legion in National Convention in Hawaii adopted a resolution in support of the war on terrorism.

The nation's 10 million veterans on Medicare should be able to apply their Medicare benefits toward health care in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, Bock said.

He added that the American Legion, the world's largest veterans organization, will continue to promote legislation to allow Medicare-eligible veterans the right to use Medicare to cover VA health care costs.

Long-range VA funding is another issue.

"We don't know how much VA funding we'll have next year," Bock said. "It's $1.5 billion short now. We want assured funding."

Fighting what he called the American Civil Liberty Union's (ACLU's) attack on American values including use of the word God in the Pledge of Allegiance and 10 Commandments is another issue.

"We'll go all the way to the Supreme Court to protect American values," Bock said.

Post 132 of New Ulm was honored for its 22nd consecutive year of reaching all-time high membership.

Bock was presented with a New Ulm American Legion ball cap, friendship cup and beer stein and several other items.

"Without (friendship), none of us have anything," said New Ulm Mayor Joel Albrecht.

During his visit, he emphasized the importance of Americans supporting its troops.

"We must stay united," Bock said. "If we don't, it will be our ultimate downfall."

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, and community service organization. It now numbers nearly 3 million members in more than 14,000 posts in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

The Minnesota American Legion has 108,000 members in nearly 600 posts. It acts as a watchdog for veterans rights.

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).