By National Commander Paul A. Morin

As I traveled across this great country visiting American Legion posts and our members, I couldn’t help but notice the wonderful resources that our infrastructure of 14,000 plus posts and our 2.7 million members provide their communities. Many of these posts excel in administering our four pillars of service to the local community --- veterans health care, children welfare, Americanism and national security. Yes, I said national security.

More and more American Legion posts are finding ways to strengthen national security concerns in the community through the enhancement of Homeland Security programs through the Citizen Corps volunteer opportunities. Whether it’s a natural disaster or preparing resources to support citizen active teams in the event of a terrorist attack, Legionnaires are finding ways to “fit in” with community response and recovery contingencies.

For instance, members of American Legion Post 283 in Palisades, Calif., installed an amateur “ham” radio station in a secure room within the post. This initiative allows the post to serve as a communication center in case of natural or man-made disasters. In Americus, Georgia, members of Americus Post 1 had the presence of mind to place American Legion information signs up before the tornado season struck. As a result, many residents who were victims of a tornado that ravaged through the community last April knew exactly where to go when post members turned their facility into a distribution center.

Other posts during times of disaster have turned their facilities into hospital triages, first aid centers, temporary lodging and dining halls to provide for residents of the community.

As military veterans, we understand the value of readiness. American Legion members can offer the community, in particular disaster response and recovery teams, their expertise, motivation and resources. To aid you in role as an active player with your local Citizen Action Volunteer Corps, members of the national headquarters staff from National Security and Public Relations have put together the “Disaster Preparedness and Response for American Legion Posts” booklet.

This booklet is a guide to planning, organizing and executing a disaster preparedness and response support program within your community. The contents cover a variety of suggested activities ranging from Citizen Corps Volunteer Opportunities to disaster response to media relations to disaster response training. It also explains the origins of The American Legion’s relationship with Homeland Security and the Citizens Corps and how your post can get involved. Posts can provide the vital backup and assistance to local Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and become involved in their Emergency Operations Plans as well. Post activities with emergency personnel as guest speakers would bring the media and the public to your post. Special post disaster drills and training events could be tied in with Americanism celebrations such as Independence Day.

Post disaster preparedness and response with successful outreach to the community, will greatly enhance your post’s visibility and commitment to service in the area. By reaching out to the public as a key player on the disaster response and recovery team, you will be seen as a “good neighbor” in your community.

I encourage you each of you to touch base with your post executive committee and general membership and discuss the “Disaster Preparedness and Response for American Legion Posts” booklet. More importantly, I encourage each of you to take action and become an active team player in the disaster preparedness, response and recovery phenomena in your community.