( photo: mnlegion.org )
The National Commander of the American Legion will participate today (Wednesday) at “Veterans Day on the Hill” at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
Daniel. J. Seehafer is concluding a four day tour of Minnesota that has featured appearances in Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Willmar, Le Center, Golden Valley, and Tuesday morning, the National American Legion Commander spoke at a breakfast at the Howard Lake American Legion.
(photo: Kendell Kubasch / KRWC Radio)
Seehafer previewed some of the topics of his speech for “Veterans Day on the Hill,” which includes a number of issues of importance to Minnesota veterans.
One of Commander Seehafer’s main messages is “Be the One,” a campaign to prevent veteran suicides…“This is really our mission. It’s not just a catchy title or a campaign, it’s really a mission of ours. Be the one. What “Be the One” entails is we want to lower that suicide rate within our veteran community.”
Seehafer says while the American Legion sometimes conjures up images for some people of aging veterans, the 2024 American Legion also holds a lot of purpose for 21st century veterans as well. “…we talk about purpose and relevance. This brings that back to those that have that hard time transitioning. We’re talking about community,…and in that, that’s what we are. Yes, we’re a veteran community, but but what does a veteran community do? We don’t just look at ourselves, we also look outward, and we want to make our communities better too. That’s the beauty of being a veteran and reaching out and making our communities better.”
(photo: Kendell Kubasch / KRWC Radio)
Other main issues the American Legion is currently focused on are stopping veteran claim sharks, smooth implementation of the PACT, or Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act, paying the Coast Guard during federal shutdowns, and passage of an amendment to protect the U-S flag from desecration.
(photo: mnlegion.org)
The Minnesota American Legion estimates as many 700 veterans will be on hand for the “Veterans Day on the Hill” events today (Wednesday) at the State Capitol.
