July 11, 2013 • Vol. 90, No. 6 IT’S AS EASY AS 1 2 3 !
Printed using recycled newsprint
1. Log onto wilegion.org and click on “Renew Online” 2. Enter your name and member ID number 3. Pay with MasterCard, Visa or Discover That’s it! You’re done. You will receive your new membership card in the mail. No more renewal notices. No more stamps.
“For God & Country”
Badger &“Wisconsin”
www.wilegion.org
Official Publications of The Wisconsin American Legion Family
The mission of The American Legion, Department Of Wisconsin is to provide service to veterans, their families and their communities.
State Budget Invests in Wisconsin’s Veterans Includes Support For Camp American Legion and Legion Service Office
Taking care of Wisconsin veterans is a top priority in the State budget recently adopted. The budget continues Wisconsin’s commitment to the veterans and their families who have given so much for our state and nation. The budget which was signed June 30th contains some important funding initiatives that directly affect The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin such as: • Increases funding to Camp American Legion which continues to provide free services to military members and their families suffering from physical or psychological conditions. • Increases funding to The American Legion Service Office at the VA Regional Headquarters in Milwaukee which provides assistance to veterans and their families.
• Extends the Veterans and Surviving Spouse Property Tax Credit to unremarried surviving spouses whose husband or wife died of a service-connected disability. • Improves the Veterans Trust Fund long-term solvency by adding an additional $5.3 million of state taxpayer resources. • Improves the Wisconsin GI Bill by eliminating the arbitrary time limit for veterans with at least 5 years of residency. • Adds more than 100 new full-time direct care staff at Wisconsin Veterans’ homes to ensure our aging heroes and their families receive the care they need and deserve. • Exempts state veterans’ homes from the nursing home bed tax, which saves the homes an estimated $4 million
2012-2013 FACEBOOK PHOTO CONTEST
Join Us on Facebook and be part of the Fun!
Like us on Facebook and post pictures of a Post, County or District Event and/or pictures of Department Commander Wayne Jensen from an event and be recognized at the 2013 Department Convention. A plaque of recognition will be awarded on stage as follows: • A posted photo from an event with the most ‘Likes’. • A posted photo of the Department Commander with the most ‘Likes’. Be creative and have fun! Log on to www.facebook.com and in your profile click on the box that says ‘search for people, places and things’ and type in Wisconsin American Legion. Once you are in, like the page, post your photos and let the contest begin!
over the biennium. • Makes funds for Military Funeral Honors sum sufficient to ensure resources are available now and into the future. • Ensures affordable access to the state’s natural resources by building on existing programs, which provide low-cost or free hunting and fishing licenses to disabled veterans and active duty service members on leave. The Governor recommends issuing vouchers to returning service members for free hunting and fishing licenses within a year of returning from active duty and supports providing a free one-year state parks pass to active duty military personnel on leave. Additionally, the budget waives state park and trail admission fees for all veterans on Memorial Day and Veterans Day weekends.
Win Free Legionwear Fashion Apparel! Legionnaires across the state can receive the latest Legion news and win free Legionwear simply by using the Online Subscription Sign-up for the Badger Legionnaire. Simply go to our website at: www.wilegion.org. On the home page under ‘Department News’ click ‘Get Your Legion News Online’. Fill out the online subscription form and you will receive e-mail alerts, Adjutant’s Notes, messages from the Department Commander, and, of course the Badger Legionnaire at your e-mail address. Each month, two e-subscription members will be randomly
drawn to receive free items of Legionwear fashion apparel. Making the switch to the e-subscription service will also help the Department to save printing and postage costs! Money saved will help strengthen our much-needed Veteran’s and youth programs. Be a Winner! Go on-line and visit: www.wilegion.org. Click ‘Get Your Legion News Online’ under ‘Department News’. Enjoy the latest Legion news, save money and show your pride by wearing some new Legionwear fashion apparel!