Jones: Legion aims to ease transition to civilian life for service men and women

"Transition to civilian life is still a challenge for our service men and women," Verna Jones, executive director in charge of the American Legion's Washington office, told a meeting of NPC American Legion Post 20 on Aug. 17.

"It is surprising how unprepared many are" despite efforts by the military to prepare service personnel for life as civilians, she said. "The American Legion is available to help."

Jones, the first woman to serve as an executive director of the 2.2 million-member veterans organization, cited the Legion's education, job fairs and other programs to assist veterans in transition. Some 3,000 Legionnaires have undergone training at the Legion's Indianapolis headquarters for work as local service representatives to help veterans receive benefits and deal with problems they face. The Legion also provides emergency financial aid to veterans in distress, even if they are not members of the organization.

Jones said her office has staffers on Capitol Hill "virtually every day" working with committees and congressional staff on behalf of veterans. A current major objective is to block efforts to privatize veterans health care by doing away with hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). She said the Legion does not oppose letting veterans use private health care providers when VA facilities are not available, but that VA hospitals are needed to address unique health issues faced by service personnel.

Jones said her staff is busy preparing for the Legion's annual convention to be held in Cincinnati Aug. 26 to Sept. 1. Post 20 members Ken Dalecki and Alfredo Diaz are delegates to the convention, which will be addressed by presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.