American Legion Auxiliary Department of Georgia

08/08/2025

Congratulations Cheryl Waybright Legislative Chair 24-25

03/29/2025

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29. Americans unite to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
This special day joins six other military-centric annual observances codified in Title 4 of the United States Code §6, among them Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

29 March is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, and their families.

November 1, 1955 was selected to coincide with the official designation of Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V); May 15, 1975 marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez.

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are between 6 and 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with millions of families of those who served during this timeframe.

We make no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and none could self-determine where they would serve.

Source:

The Vietnam War Commemoration is conducted according to the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act to help honor and pay tribute to Vietnam Veterans and their families.

03/25/2025

Medal of Honor DAY
The U.S. Congress designated March 25 as the official Medal of Honor Day in 1991 “to serve as an opportunity for Americans to recognize and express gratitude to those who have demonstrated extraordinary heroism and selflessness in service to their country.
This date was chosen because it was on 25 March 1863 that the first Medal of Honor was presented to Private Jacob Parrott of Ohio. Parrott’s distinction was one of six Medals of Honor presented that day to the Andrew Raiders, a group who showed the values of courage, commitment, sacrifice, integrity, commitment and patriotism, during a raid on Confederate-held territories in Georgia.”
The U.S. congress established the Medal of Honor “during the American Civil War by Senator James Grimes and Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles to inspire sailors to valorous service.” President Abraham Lincoln signed into law a bill on December 21, 1861 authorizing the creation of a Navy Medal of Valor. This “evolved into the Medal of Honor and Legislation authorizing a similar medal for soldiers in the U.S. Army followed in 1862.”
Sourced from HERE. Read more at

The Society’s membership is comprised of those who wear the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military award for valor. Through the Society's Outreach, Education and History initiatives, the Medal of Honor Recipients continue their service across the nation.

03/15/2025

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Today, it celebrates its birthday.

03/14/2025

2025 American Legion Legislative Priorities

Accelerate Military Quality of Life Improvements

The U.S. military’s greatest resources are individual servicemembers and their families. Without highly qualified and committed men and women, even the most sophisticated weaponry will not provide the deterrent force necessary to defend our nation. Factors that contribute to quality of life include proper compensation, appropriate housing, quality healthcare, reasonably priced commissaries, equal opportunities for career development, talent management, access to healthcare and affordable day care.

The American Legion believes that Congress and the DOD must continue to improve quality-of-life conditions for servicemembers and military families. Inflationary pressures resulting from the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, monetary policies and government spending, and support for multiple wars overseas have led to significant increases in the cost of living for Americans. Funding for military pay, benefits and quality-of-life programs must continue to be adjusted accordingly. Moreover, barriers to quality-of-life services offered to servicemembers and their families have negatively impacted retention and recruitment numbers in the armed forces. DOD must continue to make difficult decisions while balancing spending for modernization of the armed forces while funding long-neglected quality of life requirements.
Several high-profile issues involving dining facilities at multiple military installations demonstrate that DOD and some military branches have failed to prioritize and fund the health and wellness by neglecting to provide for single or unaccompanied service member nutritional and dietary requirements.1

Key Points:
The House Armed Services Committee Military Quality of Life Panel released a comprehensive report on quality- of-life standards. Based on its findings, the Committee made a set of recommendations to improve living standards for our servicemembers.2

The correlation between degraded quality of life and behavioral health issues cannot be overlooked. Providing the best quality of life standards for servicemembers can reduce risk factors for behavioral health issues.3

Barracks facilities DoD-wide are in desperate need of repair following a multitude of recurring issues including mold, mildew and substandard electrical and plumbing. Other problems include mismanagement of barracks, failure by Congress and DOD to prioritize funding for replacement barracks, and safety and security concerns. Military family housing shares many of the same issues, with tenants’ rights in housing needing to be safeguarded.

What Can Congress Do?

Increase funding for new barracks and renovation of qualified barracks and family housing, while safeguarding tenants’ rights for those who reside in privatized family housing.

Pass legislation to expand financial assistance to servicemembers for private and public childcare facilities and grant military construction authority for building new child-development centers.

Continue to fully fund and retain quality of life programs including, military commissaries and exchanges, MWR programs, educational benefits, and spouse employment programs.

Fund and prioritize repair or construction for dining facilities at DOD facilities.

Supporting Resolutions:

Resolution No. 85: Support for Military Quality of Life Standards.
1.“Military Barracks: Poor Living Conditions Undermine Quality of Life and Readiness.” U.S. Government Accountability Office, September 19, 2023. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-105797

2 “Quality of Life Panel Releases Bipartisan Report.” House Armed Services Committee, April 11, 2024. https://democrats-armedservices.house.gov/2024/4/quality-of-life-panel-releases-bipartisan-report.

3 “Preventing Su***de in the U.S. Military: Recommendations from the Su***de Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee.” Su***de Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC), January 24, 2023. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Feb/24/2003167430/-1/-1/0/SPRIRC-final-report.pdf.

Hundreds of thousands of service members live in military barracks. Concerns about poor living conditions and how DOD is managing the barracks go back...

03/14/2025

03/12/2025

Spring Conference is Coming Up!
Chances to win prizes in SERVICE Not SELF also coming Up!

The VA&R team needs your help. In addition to coordinating volunteers and events at our VAs and other facilities, the program needs supplies.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up.

Please bring items to the Department of Georgia American Legion Auxiliary Spring Conference.

March 21-23, 2025 - Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta located at 1775 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA 30096.

Please check in with your items by NOON on Saturday March 22 at the designated station to receive your ticket good for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Drawing will be held at 2:45; must be present to win!

Thank you for your continued support of the ALA Georgia VA&R Program!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090449A9A823A20-55595369-georgia

03/08/2025

🌟 In honor of Women's History Month, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women Veterans throughout history and continue to advocate for improved outcomes and access to VA benefits, services, and opportunities for women Veterans. Don’t forget to check out the Center for Women Veterans to learn about the benefits and services that you’ve earned. Your service matters, and you deserve all the support available to you! 💪❤️

Visit us at www.va.gov/womenvet

Let’s empower each other and ensure that every woman Veteran has access to the resources she needs!

03/08/2025

TODAY is International Women’s Day and the ALA Foundation is Celebrating Women of Service.
✍️ DONATE TODAY to the ALA Foundation in honor of a female servicemember or veteran that inspires you. Let’s use this day to commemorate our incredible community of volunteers and veterans in an effort to sustain the ALA’s mission of service. 🤝 Every gift received TODAY, March 8 will benefit the ALA Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund. The Mission Endowment Fund financially supports American Legion Auxiliary programs, including ALA Girls Nation, Spirit of Youth scholarships, and National Veterans Creative Arts Festival!
Donate on March 8! ➡️🔗 alafoundation.org/celebrate-women-of-service/.

03/07/2025

03/07/2025

On March 8, International Women’s Day, the ALA Foundation will Celebrate Women of Service.
✍️ Mark your calendar and donate to the ALA Foundation in honor of a female servicemember or veteran that inspires you. Let’s use this day to commemorate our incredible community of volunteers and veterans in an effort to sustain the ALA’s mission of service. 🤝 Every gift received on March 8 will benefit the ALA Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund. The Mission Endowment Fund financially supports American Legion Auxiliary programs, including ALA Girls Nation, Spirit of Youth scholarships, and National Veterans Creative Arts Festival!
Donate on March 8! ➡️🔗 alafoundation.org/celebrate-women-of-service/.