Error in commander's message: The American Legion Magazine
An error occurred in the "Commander's Message" in the February 2012 issue and it was not the fault of the National Commander.
Article II, Section 2 of the National Constitution was quoted correctly, as it reads today. The paragraph following that, however, reflected earlier language which has now been deleted from the National Constitution. Hence, even though it is not the best practice for a Legion official to hold public office because it is so difficult to separate motives, actions and their interpretation by others, Legionnaire may hold Legion and political office at the same time. We regret the error.
Daniel S. Wheeler
The American Legion
National Adjutant
VA Home Loans Lead Industry
VA's Home Loan Program Continues to Lead Mortgage Industry
Low Foreclosure Rates and High Loan Volume Cap Successful Fiscal Year
WASHINGTON (Jan. 30, 2012) - Home loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs continue to have the lowest serious delinquency and foreclosure rates in the mortgage industry. Veterans have also taken advantage of their home loan benefit in record numbers, as VA loan originations reached their highest total in eight years.
"The continued strong performance and high volume of VA loans are a testament to the importance of VA's home loan program and a tribute to the skilled VA professionals who help homeowners in financial trouble keep their homes," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki.
Last year, VA helped 72,391 Veterans and Servicemembers who were in default on their mortgage loan retain their homes or avoid foreclosure, an increase from 66,030 from the prior year. At the same time, foreclosures on VA guaranteed loans dropped by 28 percent.
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association National Delinquency Survey, VA's foreclosure rate for the last 14 quarters and serious delinquency rate for the last 11 quarters have been the lowest of all measured loan types, even prime loans.
2012 Midwinter Sweepstakes Winners
The Texas American Legion
2012 Midwinter Sweepstakes Winners
The Midwinter Sweepstakes drawing was held on January 20, 2012 at the Omni Hotel in Austin.
Congratulations’ to the following winners:
| Grand Prize | $10,000.00 | Gary Moore | Flatonia | Post 94 |
| Second Prize | $5000.00 | John Scholer | Callaway | Post 36 |
| Third Prize | $2500.00 | Peter Best | Ingleside | Post 345 |
| Fourth Prize | $1500.00 | Maria Saenz | Raymondville | Unit 390 |
| Fifth Prize | $1000.00 | Helen Olson | East Bernard | Unit 226 |
| Sixth Prize | $500.00 | William Kolodzie | New Braunfels | Post 179 |
| Seventh Prize | $500.00 | William Fisher | Denison | Post 345 |
| Eighth Prize | $100.00 | Frank Henderson | Rockport | Post 3 |
| Ninth Prize | $100.00 | Martha Sitka | Hallettsville | Unit 230 |
| Tenth Prize | $100.00 | Shirley McNabb | Victoria | Unit 166 |
| Eleventh Prize | $100.00 | Johnny Patlan | Carrizo Springs | Sqd 379 |
| Twelfth Prize | $100.00 | Raymond Farrell | Austin | Post 83 |
| Thirteenth Prize | $100.00 | Loren Quigg | Schertz | Post 2 |
Winners are posted in the February and August monthly issue of the Legion Times immediately after the drawing and can be found at www.txlegion.org.
Maximum Insurance Coverage for Vets Increases
New Law Change Increases Insurance Coverage for Veterans WASHINGTON (Jan. 10, 2012) - Some Veterans covered under the Veterans Group Life Insurance program (VGLI) now have the opportunity to increase their coverage to the current maximum coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.
"Currently, 70 percent of the Veterans covered under VGLI are under age 60, have less than $400,000 of coverage, and will greatly benefit from this law change," said Allison A. Hickey, Department of Veterans Affairs under secretary for benefits.
Under the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, enacted on Oct. 13, 2010, Veterans can increase their coverage by $25,000 at each five-year anniversary date of their policy to the current legislated maximum SGLI coverage, presently, $400,000.
VA Deploys 20 New Mobile Vet Centers
Additions to Fleet Will Expand Veterans' Access to VA Services Across U.S.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (January 4, 2012) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs today deployed 20 additional Mobile Vet Centers from the production facility of Farber Specialty Vehicles to increase access to readjustment counseling services for Veterans and their families in rural and underserved communities across the country.
“Mobile Vet Centers allow VA to bring the many services our Vet Centers offer Veterans to all communities, wherever they are needed,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Robert A. Petzel. “VA is committed to expanding access to VA health care and benefits for Veterans and their families, and these 20 new vehicles demonstrate that continued commitment.”
