WASHINGTON, (July 30, 2009) - As veterans start the new academic year, the leader of The American Legion said he is happy to see that they will be able to enjoy the benefits of the new GI Bill.

"August 1st will be a proud day for us," said David K. Rehbein, national commander of the nation's largest veterans service organization. "That's when the educational benefits in the Post -9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act take effect -benefits that The American Legion worked hard to bring about."

In fact, The American Legion was so instrumental in the passage of the most sweeping veterans benefit in generations that U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards said at the time, "Passing this historic new GI Bill into law could not have happened without the dedicated efforts of The American Legion."

The Legion's role in the formulation of the new GI Bill has deep historical roots. Members of The American Legion drafted the original Servicemen's Readjustment Act, popularly known as the GI Bill, in 1944. It was written in longhand on hotel stationery by American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery. The GI Bill is widely considered the greatest domestic legislation ever passed by Congress.

The largest scholarship program in U.S. history, the GI Bill also made home ownership a possibility for a new generation of Americans, transforming the American economy and creating the middle class.

The American Legion continued its staunch advocacy for veterans, playing a key role in every readjustment legislation since 1944. While some of the successors to the GI Bill fell short of what The American Legion hoped for, the organization worked closely with then-U.S. Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery on the improved "Montgomery GI Bill," which benefited peacetime veterans.

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While The American Legion has never stopped pushing for a comprehensive benefit to cover all education costs for veterans, the organization went clearly on the record at its 1992 National Convention in Chicago. Delegates there unanimously passed Resolution 3, which called for the establishment of "a benefit package commensurate with those provided veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam."

As the Global War on Terrorism progressed, it became clear that National Guard and Reserve veterans, who were serving in large numbers during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, were not being compensated as generously as their active-duty counterparts.

It was time for a new GI Bill. The American Legion and Congress, among others, set about creating one. A longtime Legionnaire, Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., built a bipartisan coalition in the Senate. The final bill included a provision that allowed for the transferability of benefits to family members, an additional benefit supported by The American Legion.  The bill was signed by President George W. Bush on June 30, 2008.

The new GI Bill does not replace existing education programs for veterans, but augments them. Depending upon individual needs and eligibilities, benefits of the older Montgomery GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill/Selected Reserve, and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) are still available as well.

The American Legion explains veterans educational benefits in great detail at www.mygibill.org.

"The new GI Bill is a bill worthy of its name," Rehbein said. "While we believe this is a great benefit to America's veterans and their families, The American Legion will monitor the administration of it and ensure that the benefits that these veterans so richly deserve are not diminished. If any veteran has difficulty accessing their GI Bill benefits, we at The American Legion want to know about it. All they need to do is contact The American Legion."

With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

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If you have ever escaped from blazing hot sun in a shady spot under a tree, you know how these natural air conditioners can make you feel more comfortable. A mature shade tree can block up to 90 percent of solar radiation, which could translate to a significant reduction in your home cooling cost. A Pennsylvania study found that air conditioning needs could be reduced by up to 75 percent by shading a house with trees!

Computer models devised by the U.S. Department of Energy predict that the proper placement of as few as three shade trees will save an average household $100-$250 in energy costs each year - and that study was done before energy costs soared!

Reduce energy use
With the increased costs of using fossil fuels for heating and cooling our buildings, it only makes good sense to take advantage of the following principles.

"Plant deciduous trees on the south and west sides of a building," advises Tchukki Andersen, staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association. "Those are the sides where the sun's rays are most intense. Since deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter, they offer shade during summer but permit the winter sun to provide warmth," adds Andersen. "Where there isn't room for trees, shrubs and vines can provide similar benefits."

Deciduous trees with high, spreading crowns can be planted to the south of your home to provide maximum summertime roof shading. Trees with crowns lower to the ground are more appropriate to the west, where shade is needed from lower afternoon sun angles. Trees should not be planted on the southern sides of homes in cold climates because the branches of these trees will block some winter sun.

"Although a slow-growing tree may require many years of growth before it shades your roof, it will generally live longer than a fast-growing tree," notes Andersen. Also, because slow-growing trees often have deeper roots and stronger branches, they are less prone to fail during windstorms or heavy snowstorms. Slow-growing trees can also be more drought resistant than fast-growing trees.

Trees, shrubs and groundcover plants can also shade the ground and pavement around the home. This reduces heat radiation and cools the air before it reaches your home's walls and windows. Use a large bush or row of shrubs to shade a patio or driveway. Plant a hedge to shade a sidewalk. Build a trellis for climbing vines to shade a patio area.

Shrubs planted close to the house will fill in rapidly and begin shading walls and windows within a few years. However, avoid allowing dense foliage to grow immediately next to a home where wetness or continual humidity is a problem. Well-landscaped homes in wet areas allow winds to flow around the home, keeping the home and its surrounding soil reasonably dry.

Enhance property values
Beyond energy savings and beauty, homeowners who take care of their trees and keep manicured yards find the value of their properties increase. A research study at Clemson University lists maintaining beautiful landscaping as a cost-efficient way to increase the value of a home. In a comparison of house prices to house characteristics, location and landscape quality, the study showed houses that obtained an "excellent" landscaping rating from a local landscaping professional could expect to sell at a price 6 to 7 percent higher than equivalent houses with a "good" landscaping rating. Improving landscaping from "average" to "good" resulted in a home premium about 5 percent.

What to do
For a green household landscape audit, contact the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), a 71-year-old public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture. It has more than 2,000 member companies who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and who are required to carry liability insurance. TCIA also has the nation's only Accreditation program that helps consumers find tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on: adherence to industry standards for quality and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices. An easy way to find a tree care service provider in your area is to use the "Locate Your Local TCIA Member Companies" program. You can use this service by calling 1-800-733-2622 or by doing a ZIP code search at www.treecaretips.org.

Nearly 61.8 million Americans volunteered through an organization in 2008, up 1 million from the previous year. America's volunteers dedicated more than 8 billion hours of service in 2008, worth an estimated $162 billion, according to the Volunteering in America report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Locally, Modern Woodmen members have shown that volunteerism is alive and well. In 2009, hundreds of service projects have taken place in the community through the support of Modern Woodmen.

"In the Quad Cities, volunteers really make a difference," says Modern Woodmen Fraternal Director Stephen Van Speybroeck. "Modern Woodmen is proud to be a part of a nationwide focus on service. In 2009, local volunteers have collected items for the needy, assembled boxes for sick children and landscaped schools and parks. These are small gestures of kindness that display the strength of the community."

The following is a snapshot of the local impact Modern Woodmen and its members have made in 2009:

· 2,250 volunteers participated in 54 projects on Join Hands Day, a national day of service sponsored by Modern Woodmen and other fraternal benefit societies. These volunteers donated more than 6,400 volunteer hours on Saturday, May 2. Specific projects included assembling 350 Jared Boxes for children with chronic illnesses, planting flowers, collecting non-perishables and beautifying parks and schools.

· 2 trees were planted by Modern Woodmen members in the Quad Cities.

· Modern Woodmen members collected donations for King's Harvest, needy children, veterans and other local food pantries.

· More than 750 thank-you cards were distributed to military men and women serving overseas.

As a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment products not to benefit stockholders, but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders - members, their families and their communities. This is done through social, charitable and volunteer activities. In 2008, more than $23.8 million and more than 1.7 million volunteer hours were contributed nationwide for local community projects.

A Rock Island-based business, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

Web links:

Volunteering in America report

Volunteering in America press release

Corporation for National and Community Service

Serve.gov

Modern Woodmen of America

Kim Woodward
Public Relations Specialist
Modern Woodmen of America
Direct: 309-793-5660
Email: Kim.Woodward@modern-woodmen.org
www.modern-woodmen.org