Memorial Day - a tribute to the freedom fighters

General Order Number 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic was the document that established Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it has been also called, as a nationwide observance. It is appropriate to honor our military heros and their families any time, as demonstrated by the ALS Association during the recent ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetary.
With so many of our military veterans, returned safely to loved ones, only to find themselves under attack from ALS, it is fitting to consider the following passage in the orignal General Order: "...Let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us, a sacred charge upon a nations gratitude the soldiers and sailors widow and orphan."

Please take a few minutes this weekend to recognize and thank (even silently) the men and women who have given their lives to defend and preserve our way of life. Better yet, take action and write to your representatives in Washington, DC. Ask them to support the 2009 Public Policy priorities set by ALSA National. Visit the Advocacy Action Center to learn more.

To read the full text of the General Order...


Peace!

NEW…VA Benefits Online Resource

Newly launched, ALSA National has created a new section on their website, targeted specifically to our military veterans and their surviving spouses. Designed to help veterans understand and apply for the benefits they are entitled to, the site includes important resources for vets with ALS, their families and survivors, such as answers to frequently asked questions about the new VA regulations for ALS and a link to our Roll Call of Veterans. Please share this information and encourage all vets to join the Roll Call of Veterans. Non-veterans also can become ALS Advocates via the site and receive the tools and information they need to help us fight for veterans and all people with ALS.

--Veterans Page: http://www.alsa.org/policy/veterans.cfm
--Benefit Information & Eligibility: http://www.alsa.org/policy/article.cfm?id=1358
--Applying for VA benefits: http://www.alsa.org/policy/article.cfm?id=1357