Congress must fund our military properly
By James LaCoursiere Jr., National Commander
Sep 19, 2024
Dear American Legion Family members and friends,
The shenanigans we’re seeing play out on Capitol Hill are more than typical political bickering. They are endangering our national security, military readiness, and other core issues for veterans, servicemembers and their families.
In short: We’re less than two weeks away from a government shutdown as Congress is unable to pass spending legislation before a new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Our elected representatives are looking at yet another stopgap measure, a continuing resolution (CR) which is akin to placing a bandage on a wounded body part that requires major surgery.
There are numerous reasons why passage of a CR would gravely impact America. Among them:
Military readiness and operations: A CR would be disruptive in several ways, compromising military response operations to worldwide threats, reducing readiness training and putting the brakes on maintenance fixes, while simultaneously empowering known enemies.
Delayed pay for troops: Active-duty personnel and reservists could experience delays in receiving hard-earned pay raises, negatively impacting morale and financial stability, especially in the current economic climate. Imagine being a young servicemember and having to talk with a spouse or partner about which bills to pay, just because Congress is mired in a political standoff.
Border security: Already stretched thin, border protection agencies could face staffing shortages and resource limitations, increasing their vulnerability to illegal activities and security threats.
Recruitment challenges: The armed forces are already faced with challenges when it comes to recruiting the best and the brightest. As the standoff takes its toll, potential recruits’ enlistment bonuses could be halted, risking that they forego military service due to financial uncertainty. Additionally, current servicemembers could choose to not re-enlist, creating talent shortages in areas critical to national security.
Those are among the scenarios we will be facing with a CR, instead of a fully funded fiscal year. But there is still time for Congress to do the right thing.
Our members of Congress must push aside their political posturing, focus on completing the mandated task at hand and doing what is right for America, its military members and their families. I am calling on Congress to pass an actual spending bill on time to ensure our military is properly funded throughout this fiscal year.
National Commander
James LaCoursiere Jr.
By James LaCoursiere Jr., National Commander
Sep 19, 2024
Dear American Legion Family members and friends,
The shenanigans we’re seeing play out on Capitol Hill are more than typical political bickering. They are endangering our national security, military readiness, and other core issues for veterans, servicemembers and their families.
In short: We’re less than two weeks away from a government shutdown as Congress is unable to pass spending legislation before a new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Our elected representatives are looking at yet another stopgap measure, a continuing resolution (CR) which is akin to placing a bandage on a wounded body part that requires major surgery.
There are numerous reasons why passage of a CR would gravely impact America. Among them:
Military readiness and operations: A CR would be disruptive in several ways, compromising military response operations to worldwide threats, reducing readiness training and putting the brakes on maintenance fixes, while simultaneously empowering known enemies.
Delayed pay for troops: Active-duty personnel and reservists could experience delays in receiving hard-earned pay raises, negatively impacting morale and financial stability, especially in the current economic climate. Imagine being a young servicemember and having to talk with a spouse or partner about which bills to pay, just because Congress is mired in a political standoff.
Border security: Already stretched thin, border protection agencies could face staffing shortages and resource limitations, increasing their vulnerability to illegal activities and security threats.
Recruitment challenges: The armed forces are already faced with challenges when it comes to recruiting the best and the brightest. As the standoff takes its toll, potential recruits’ enlistment bonuses could be halted, risking that they forego military service due to financial uncertainty. Additionally, current servicemembers could choose to not re-enlist, creating talent shortages in areas critical to national security.
Those are among the scenarios we will be facing with a CR, instead of a fully funded fiscal year. But there is still time for Congress to do the right thing.
Our members of Congress must push aside their political posturing, focus on completing the mandated task at hand and doing what is right for America, its military members and their families. I am calling on Congress to pass an actual spending bill on time to ensure our military is properly funded throughout this fiscal year.
National Commander
James LaCoursiere Jr.
September 9, 2024
From the Commander:
Greetings Family,
September has arrived! Our children and our grandchildren are headed back to school. It has been an eventful summer with Brasstacular, The Warrior Benefit Concert as well as the Harley Burgess Golf Tournament. If I have left out anything else again, thank you for your participation and volunteerism as well as supporting of these events.
September marks the start up of all of our Legion Family meetings. Please, if you are a member of any of these groups, then again please attend and participate in these groups. Your input is important to help continue the advancement of our post, to keep it positive and help moving us through the 21st century.
Talk about moving forward, our website www.greeceny468legionpost.com is up and running thanks to Kevin Woodbury, our Legion's 1st Vice Commander. If your group is having an event send a email to Kevin at [email protected] and he will put it up on our website as well as Barry[email protected] who maintains the monitor at the post.
As I conclude, thank you all for the support I have been given. My goal is to continue to strive to make Post 468 a welcoming environment. Judgement, being disrespectful or critical of any member tarnishes our primary purpose which is honoring all Veterans and Families, living or deceased.
Thank you and may God bless all of you.
For God and Country
Daniel L. Perna, Commander, American Legion Greece Post 468