Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation means the complete restoration of the veteran and his family to normal function and adjustment, physically, mentally, socially, and vocationally for the fullest possible life, compatible with his abilities and disabilities.
The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation work of the American Legion Auxiliary includes bringing physical comfort and mental cheer to veterans in hospitals, aiding the disabled to earn money for the support of themselves and their families, and helping them to reestablish themselves in life. The American Legion Auxiliary cooperates with The American Legion in all its endeavors on behalf of veterans.
To carry out the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation work effectively, a complete organization extending from the Unit to the National Organization is necessary. Years of experience in rehabilitation have brought abut a systematizing of the activities which has proven to be the most efficient way to aid the different classes of disabled veterans. Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation should work closely with the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committees of their American Legion Posts and with other agencies in the community from which aid for the disabled is available.
The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation work of the American Legion Auxiliary includes bringing physical comfort and mental cheer to veterans in hospitals, aiding the disabled to earn money for the support of themselves and their families, and helping them to reestablish themselves in life. The American Legion Auxiliary cooperates with The American Legion in all its endeavors on behalf of veterans.
To carry out the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation work effectively, a complete organization extending from the Unit to the National Organization is necessary. Years of experience in rehabilitation have brought abut a systematizing of the activities which has proven to be the most efficient way to aid the different classes of disabled veterans. Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation should work closely with the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committees of their American Legion Posts and with other agencies in the community from which aid for the disabled is available.
The National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee
The National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee shall contact the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairmen in carrying out a uniform program in the various Departments. Te National Chairman is assisted by three members of the committee and five Divisional Chairmen who are appointed each year by the National President. The National Organization requires an annual report form to be sent out from the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee to the Departments covering Unit, Department, and National programs. Information is to be furnished to the Department by Units and returned to the National Chairman. The National News and bulletins are the media in which educational information of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee will be found. Every Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman should become thoroughly familiar with the program of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee.
The Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Each Unit should have a Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee consisting of a chairman and as many other members as may be needed to carry out the local work. The work of this Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee is confined to service for veterans in the hospitals, attention to veterans returning from the hospitals, in securing necessary hospitalization for disabled veterans, and such other aid as may be needed.
Each Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman should be familiar with the Department and National programs, making sure that her Unit contributes its part to the carrying out of these programs. Close contact should be maintained with the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman in order that the Unit may function effectively in the Department and National rehabilitation work and may receive assistance when needed from either of these groups. Each Unit should contribute to its Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund in the manner prescribed by the Department and to the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund through the Department. All money should be sent to Department Headquarters; never directly from the Unit to the National Organization.
Each Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman should be familiar with the Department and National programs, making sure that her Unit contributes its part to the carrying out of these programs. Close contact should be maintained with the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman in order that the Unit may function effectively in the Department and National rehabilitation work and may receive assistance when needed from either of these groups. Each Unit should contribute to its Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund in the manner prescribed by the Department and to the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund through the Department. All money should be sent to Department Headquarters; never directly from the Unit to the National Organization.
Purpose and Use of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Funds
The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund in the Unit, Department, and National organization must be used for this work only, and should be kept in a separate fund. Since the public has usually contributed generously to this fund because of the nature of its use, we are obligated to keep faith with the public in the expenditure of this money. The special National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund is made up from annual contributions of fifteen cents per Senior member. A part of this fund is donated to The American Legion to assist in the work of The American Legion’s National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission in Washington, D.C., and the balance is used as Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation and Children and Youth budgets of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Suggestions for Unit Workers
- Units should contract the well established and recognized social agencies whenever possible in dealing with issues related to assistance to veterans.
- Units should recognize the efficient structure established by the National American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, and the capability of their Service Officers in various states. Questions regarding the rights of the veterans, compensation, insurance, and other questions of a technical nature should be referred to The American Legion for advice and guidance.
- Units wishing information about special projects such as orientation for Hospital Volunteers, work shops, Gift Shops, sale of veteran-made goods, operation of exchanges, or any other special activity conducted through the rehabilitation program, can secure definite information by writing to the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman through Department Headquarters.
Guide for Volunteers
The “Guide for Volunteers” contains rules, regulations, and duties for all volunteer groups in rehabilitation, and may be obtained through your Department Headquarters. Every volunteer should have a copy available to her.
Hospital Volunteer Orientation
Unit Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairmen should be aware of the need for Medical Center Volunteers’ Orientation if there is a VA Medical Center in the community or adjacent area. Under the Department Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman and/or the Director of Hospital Volunteers, classes should be organized according to the procedure outlined in the “Guide for Volunteers,” After satisfactory completion of the prescribed training courses, the Hospital Volunteers of the American Legion Auxiliary will be qualified to serve and aid the Medical Center Staff in caring for the hospitalized veteran.
VAVS Representative
The National Organization has a VAVS representative and two deputies as liaison from the organization to the VA and serving on the National VAVS level. Information from this representative is sent to all Departments periodically.
Field and Service Program
One of the programs in the field of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation is that of Field Service; a volunteer program similar to that of the Hospital Volunteer program, but conducted in community nursing homes and non-VA facilities. There are both National and State Directors for the Field Service program, and there are identification pins and hour bars for the volunteers which are similar to that of the Hospital Volunteer Program. Please refer to the “Guide for Volunteers” for detailed information on this program.
Home Service
In 1974, a new method of reporting the number of volunteers, hours, and the cost of materials and supplies was initiated to record service for the veterans by our volunteers in their own homes. Home Service completes a true record of service given by all American Legion Auxiliary Volunteers for reporting to the Congress of the United States, and also recognizes all volunteer hours of service by our National Organization. Home Service hours include time spend sewing, knitting, cooking, shopping for materials and supplies, and other services performed by the volunteer in her own home. Hospital Gift Shop items made at home are classified as Home Service.