New Web site gives guidance to wounded warriors and their families

Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 2:06pm.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

A new federal Web site is now available to help wounded warriors and their families. The National Resource Directory (NRD) is an online tool for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers, veterans, their families and those who support them. The site provides access to more than 11,000 services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

The NRD is a collaborative partnership of the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, with information from federal, state and local government agencies, veterans service and benefit organizations, nonprofit and community-based groups, academic institutions, and professional associations that provide assistance to wounded warriors and their families.

Find out more at the NRD Website: Click Here!

Source: The American Legion Online Update

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0_PZi3ZzNc National Commanders Situation Report

American Legion Post 356 families volunteered for a work day on Saturday, August 1st to install office cubicles for a Computer Lab at the Azle Youth Center/Green-Light Ministries facility. Thanks to all who came out to help in this endeavor!

The director of the facility (Cindy Bishop) was also very surprised to receive a $200.00 donation from the Post 356 American Legion Riders. The center also received $100.00 from Les Knell and yet another $100.00 from Lindsay and Nancy Stewart! Way to go y'all!

Public Service Announcement...New Texas Laws effective 1 Sept., 2009

Beginning in September, all vehicle occupants will be required to buckle up, including adults sitting in the back seat of a vehicle, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Sept. 1, many of the laws passed by the legislature earlier this year will take effect in Texas, including new seatbelt and traffic laws.

Currently, only passengers under 17 seated in the back must wear a seatbelt. The fine involving those over 17 ranges from $25 to $50, while a ticket involving those under 17 goes up to $200.

Laws regarding restraint of children in vehicles also changed.

The child safety seat law was amended, raising the age requirement. Any child under 8 years old must be restrained in an approved child safety seat unless the child is at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Though law enforcement will be able to issue warnings on the law, no tickets can be written until June 2010, according to DPS. The fine for the first offense is no more than $25, while the a second offense may cost the offender up to $250.

Also, a motorcycle operator may not carry a child under 5 years as a passenger unless the child is seated in a sidecar.

Other traffic or driver's license law changes include:

• Cell phone use in a school zone has also been prohibited unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands free device is used. Cities or counties wishing to enforce the law must post a sign at the beginning of the school zone alerting drivers.

• The penalties for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger were increased by adding an automatic driver's license suspension period for first-time offenders and an increased suspension period for repeat offenders.

• All applicants for a driver's license under the age of 18 must take the driving skills exam from DPS, including those enrolled in a driver's education course. Phase two restrictions – which apply to teens under 18 years and include restrictions of night time driving, cell phone use and the number of unrelated passengers – will be extended another six months to one year. The law also increases the number of hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction for teens from 14 hours to 34 hours and creates adult driving education requirement for those older than 18.

• Laws regarding driving without insurance or a valid license were also enhanced. It will be a class B misdemeanor if a person drives with a suspended license and without insurance and a class A misdemeanor if the person driving without insurance or a valid driver's license has an accident and someone is seriously injured or dies as a result of that accident.

The American Legion Family Support Network is in need of funds to help the families of our Military serving abroad. Emergency funds have been depleted! Donations can be made at your local American Legion Post, or sent to:

The American Legion

Family Support Network

P.O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, IN. 46206

Your charitable donations are 100% deductible under the IRS 501(c)(19) for this program.

Vets can now Salute the Flag

(from The Salute Periodical)

For years, Veterans have wanted to salute the U.S. flag during the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem instead of just placing their hand over their heart. Now they can.

A Congressional Amendment sponsored by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 specifically states that "members of the Armed Forces and Veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute." Veterans can salute the flag during the National Anthem as well as during "the hoisting, lowering and passing of the flag."

"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing pride in one's military service," said Inhofe. "Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform. The U.S. Code is now consistent for Veterans and all service members in regards to the symbolic gesture of the military salute."

To find out more about Freedom Team Salute, visit www.freedomteamsalute.com

More to come...