American Legion to Host Assistance Service for Middlesex County Veterans

National and state teams from the American Legion will be in Middlesex County beginning in October to discuss veteran’s entitlements and service to the community.

All wartime veterans in these areas are invited to American Legion Post 65 at Lake Ave. and Holly St. in Metuchen to learn more about The American Legion and veteran entitlements. Membership and veteran information staff will be available on Oct. 3 through Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along with members of American Legion Posts in the county to kick off this community and veteran service campaign. 

A Service Officer will be available for all area veterans to aid with claims or other veteran-related questions on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Metuchen location.

There will also be a table at the Middlesex Fair, being held Oct. 5 in Metuchen on Main St.

In keeping with the over 95-year tradition of The American Legion, the rejuvenated American Legion posts in Middlesex and Union County will focus on community service and assistance to veterans. The scope and nature of the posts’ community service will be determined by its members and inputs from local civic and community officials.

“Service! That’s what The American Legion is all about,” said James E. Amos, Jr., Commander of The American Legion for the Department of New Jersey. “We exist to help each and every veteran, their families and the communities they live in.” 

“Union and Middlesex counties are an ideal place to strengthen partnerships between the veterans and the community,” Amos added. “The people here care about their community and practice good citizenship every day. Now, wartime veterans have a special place from which they can make a difference.”

Since its inception in 1919, the American Legion has been a key advocate for veterans’ entitlements; children & youth; patriotic American values; a strong national defense; and quality-of-life issues for those serving in today’s armed forces.

The organization, which spearheaded the original GI Bill, has been advocating reform of the veteran’s health care system under its GI Bill of Health. Creation of the federal forerunner of the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the agency’s ascent to cabinet-level status is due, in part, to The American Legion’s advocacy.  

The American Legion was also instrumental in the establishment of the Veterans Home Loan, veterans hiring preference and just compensation to veterans suffering from illnesses related to their military service, including those whose ailments stemming from exposure to Agent Orange and mysterious Persian Gulf origins.

Equally aggressive are The American Legion’s efforts to instill values in young people through numerous programs, including American Legion Boys State, American Legion Boys Nation, the National High School Oratorical Contest, American Legion Baseball, Teenage Suicide Prevention, Child Health and a McGruff Safe Kids Program.  

The American Legion has supported Scouting since 1919. Many American Legion posts also support Junior ROTC high school units, fund-raising for handicapped children, and partnerships with other nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics.