The American Legion

One of Department of Minnesota American Legion Auxiliary President Judy Ackerman’s projects this year was to provide 300 hygiene kits for those utilizing the Minneapolis VA Health Care System’s Women’s Clinic, which is under construction now and is set to open in the summer of 2026. Thanks to an outpouring of support from the department's Legion Family, that goal was blown out of the water.

The American Legion Department of Connecticut is staging a veterans outreach and post revitalization effort Nov. 2 at American Legion Post 26 in Stafford Springs.

Former Navy SEAL Alden Mills finds joy in helping people do more than they originally thought possible. So he’s on a mission to help 100 million people be unstoppable and go after their goals. Mills talks about that mission and more on this week's episode of the Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Gunner Justice and his teammates from Troy (Ala.) Post 70’s American Legion Baseball team weren’t sure what to expect when they arrived for a Play Ball event in Inglewood, Calif., on Oct. 26.

𝐌𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝘉𝘺 Henry Howard The second annual MCON conference, Oct. 25-27, concluded with an attendance of more than 3,100, significantly larger than the initial year. Staff and volunteers from The American Legion, a founding sponsor of MCON, greeted veterans and family members at a Be the One display. They shared information about Be the One, discussed issues related to veterans claims and more. Marine Corps veteran Waco Hoover, MCON creator and American Legion Be the One chairman, said, "This year's MCON exceeded my lofty expectations. We had stimulating conversations about core issues of today's veterans. Transitioning. Mental wellness. Finding purpose. Entrepreneurship. And so many more. I'm so grateful for our attendees, sponsors, volunteers and everyone who played a role in building momentum at this year's MCON. Next year's third annual conference will be even bigger and better, and more impactful for our community." Among the highlights from Saturday: • American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast co-host Adam Marr served as the emcee and addressed mental health and moral injury. “I’ve seen a broken medical system predicated on sick care instead of well care and system-masking medications slowly destroy so many lives. But at the same time, I have also seen an incredible movement start to emerge from within our ranks and our community with non-standard therapies and a new lease on life. It’s truly been remarkable.” • A discussion on finding purpose featuring Nick Palmisciano, an Army veteran, American Legion member and founder of Diesel Jack Media; and former Army Ranger Michael Schlitz, who was medically retired after suffering severe burns and becoming a double amputee. “We’ve been transitioning our entire lives,” Schlitz said, referring to education and then service. “Then when you leave the military, you forget all those things.” After his injuries, he used his experience as a military instructor teaching classes to become a motivational speaker. “I just had to remember where I came from. We have to get back to what we are good at: attacking what’s in front of us at that moment.” • Amy Forsythe, a Marine veteran and Navy Reservist who is also host of the Legion’s Be the One podcast. She was among the panelists who discussed redefining what is possible for women veterans. “Your military service may end but it is about what’s next and looking forward to finding your next calling and purpose. Everything is on the table. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” • Rudy Reyes, a Marine veteran, conservationist, martial arts instructor, and actor who portrayed himself in HBO’s “Generation Kill.” He talked about the Four Pillars that define his life: mother nature, physical fitness, community and purpose. (1/2)

In today's Five Things to Know, NATO on Monday confirmed that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to aid in its war against Ukraine and that some have already been deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, where Russia is fighting a Ukrainian incursion.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘣𝘺 Henry Howard • 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 Diesel Jack Media Civilian careers, business partnerships and other topics related to transition for veterans and military spouses were front and center at the first Military Impact Summit. The daylong event kicked off the second annual MCON on Oct. 25 in Las Vegas. The American Legion is a founding sponsor of the three-day MCON. Among the speakers at the Military Impact Summit: • Marine Corps veteran Waco Hoover, MCON creator and American Legion Be the One chairman. Hoover closed the session by leading a town hall that focused on topics such as transition issues, military families and more. “The transition piece has such a massive cascading impact on the overall wellness of the veteran, not just mental health but also financial wellness, relationships, spiritual wellness.” • Michael Rodríguez, American Legion member, retired Army Green Beret and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Rodriguez was on a panel that addressed corporate partnerships with military nonprofits. “There has to be a reason for us to hold hands and walk down this road together,” he said, noting the importance of clear communication with prospective partners. “Strategic leadership is not the how, it is the what and the why.” • Kevin Schmiegel is a retired Marine and co-founder and CEO of ZeroMils. He countered the perceptions of “broken veterans” desperate for jobs, noting the current 2.8% jobless rate for veterans. “The sky is not falling. We bring significant value to the workplace and society. We are not broken. We are not the victims. We are thriving." • Sarah Ragone, associate director of Corporate Partnerships at Hire Heroes USA, which works with veterans and their spouses to navigate the hiring process in the civilian world. “Our transition specialists work with every veteran, every military spouse, and make sure that their resume is in great shape. And if there is a specific industry they would like to get into, we can match them with mentors in that field, do mock interviews, and give them advice to get into that career field.” • Chris Skahill, director of Wholesale Marketing at 5.11 Tactical, an American apparel brand of outdoor clothing, footwear, uniforms and tactical equipment, primarily targeting military, law enforcement and public safety personnel. “When we think of meaningful employment, your heart needs to be in it, whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whatever you are executing.” • Meg Hendricks, PHR, head of Military and Veterans Affairs at Fiserv, a financial services company. “We hire veterans and military spouses because a lot of the times they have the skills that others don’t have,” she said. Jennifer Ballou Leticia "Tish" Stropes Robert Hess

“The (American) Legion’s really the catalyst here. The thinking the Legion catalyzed was to make sure that we’re checking on vets no matter where they are.” - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, ar the VA's inaugural Buddy Check Summit. #BuddyCheck

The American Legion Department of Illinois is hosting a veterans outreach and post revitalization effort Oct. 25-27 at American Legion Post 210 in Danville.

Registration is open to veterans, servicemembers and military spouses for a U.S. Small Business Administration Boots to Business Reboot taking place at The American Legion's Washington, D.C., office on Dec. 9-10. Follow the link for more information.