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  • Tuesday, January 20, 2015

    Jobs, Suicide, PTSD Among Top Issues at Mid-Winter Conference

    ALBANY — Jobs, suicide prevention and other veterans’ issues will be on the minds of nearly 1,200 American Legion members as they gather Jan. 23-25 for the New York State American Legion’s 96th Annual Mid-Winter Conference at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center here. Another 700 members of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion also will be addressing veteran and family issues as they hold concurrent meetings at nearby hotels on Wolf Road.

    Frank Peters

    Frank Peters

    “We’re advocating for veterans who need jobs, and we’re examining the VA Health Care system to insist on quality care for veterans,” noted State American Legion Commander Frank Peters. “With 22 veterans a day succumbing to suicide, we’re also strongly urging the New York State Legislature to endorse and fund hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment (HBOT) for veterans suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). HBOT is showing remarkable results. We need to act to stem the suicide epidemic.”

    Commander Peters and other Legion officials (including the leading candidate for national commander, Dale Barnett of Georgia) will be available for interviews at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, to talk about the Conference and pressing veterans issues. They will be available to meet with news media in Suite 130 at The Desmond, 660 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany.

    Meetings on Children and Youth Programs, National Security issues, Troop Support, Family Support, Veterans’ Health Concerns and a number of other topics will be held throughout the weekend. Legionnaires will attend a reception and banquet Saturday evening. The American Legion is the country’s largest war-time veterans organization and is committed to serving veterans, families, youth, community and nation. The Legion operates Legacy Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships to children of service members who died while serving their country, and Operation Comfort Warriors to offer free aid, supplies and equipment to wounded warriors.