American Legion chief all ears on Vt. sojourn
Toolbox
By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: April 10, 2009
Education benefits and reintegration into civilian life are some of the issues the American Legion national commander will discuss when he visits Vermont this weekend.
David K. Rehbein will visit American Legion posts in Ludlow, Chester, Readsboro, Bennington, Arlington and Bellows Falls between today and Sunday, and he is inviting veterans to come and hear what the American Legion is doing for them, as well as listen to vets to learn what more can be done.
"We need to do everything we can to let our veterans know what is happening at the national level with legislation," Rehbein said when reached by phone earlier this week. Since being elected national commander in August, the Ames, Iowa, resident has spent nearly every day on the road, visiting troops in Iraq, stumping for legislation in Washington and visiting American Legion posts across the country.
"He's a tremendous individual," said Richard Farmer, state commander of the American Legion. "I respect anyone who takes time out of his life to represent the veterans."
Rehbein's message includes the news that there will be greater access to medical treatment thanks to an increase of about $5 billion for the VA budget. Rehbein is also touting the new GI Bill, which goes into effect Aug. 1 and will help pay tuition for any veteran attending a state university, with length of eligibility contingent upon length of military service.
Rehbein said his biggest concern is making sure veterans get the care they need when they return from active duty. He has met with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington and Fort Riley in Kansas, and noted a meeting he had with a veteran who has just returned from Kosovo as indication of the United States' global presence.
"It's important to realize there are soldiers all over the world, not just in Iraq and Afghanistan," Rehbein said.
Rehbein will also listen to veterans' concerns, which for many Vermonters is accessibility to medical services. While there is a medical center in White River Junction and clinics around the state, some veterans live in particularly rural and isolated areas.
"We are a rural state, but because we're a small state we're a family," Farmer said. "What happens in Newport affects veterans in Brattleboro and you might not have that in a larger state."
Rehbein will have dinner at 6 p.m. Friday at Post 36 in Ludlow. Saturday, he will visit several posts, including 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Post 67 in Chester, 11 to 11:30 a.m. at Post 29 in Readsboro, noon to 12:45 p.m. at the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington, 1 to 1:45 p.m. at Post 13 in Bennington; 2:15 to 3 p.m. at Post 69 in Arlington and a commander's banquet beginning at 6 p.m. back at Post 67 in Chester.
Around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Rehbein will attend an installation and Easter brunch at Post 37 in Bellows Falls.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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