American Legion Hale-Combest post 315 Foundation

The American Legion Hale-Combest Post 315 Foundation supports the American Legion’s National Organization’s Four Pillars of service consisting of, but not limited to, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Children and Youth programs, and Americanism

PURPOSE

1. Support the American Legion’s National Four Pillars of service.
2. Provide educational scholarships, tuition, and/or financial expense assistance to selected high school students.
3. To provide humanitarian aid to distressed veterans. Be the One - prevent veteran suicide 
4. To provide relief and assistance in the community and may include food drives and during times of emergency, augmenting emergency responses by providing temporary shelter for persons displaced by natural or man-made disasters pursuant to an actual or anticipated national, or local declaration of emergency.
5. To support the Children and Youth Programs of the American Legion and other American Legion Hale-Combest Post 315 approved programs.
6. To support programs honoring veterans and promoting patriotic activities.
7. To accept and disburse funds for the purposes of making charitable contributions to other organizations which are organized to provide scholarships and aid to the children and families of personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States and Veterans.
8. To conduct, engage in and promote any lawful act or activity for which nonprofit Foundations may now or hereafter be allowed under the laws of the State of Texas

FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE

I. Veteran Services/Programs

The American Legion is committed to empowering veterans by providing the tools and information they need to thrive in civilian life. Receive assistance to understand and apply for benefits. Find employers who understand your skills and values. Learn how to access educational opportunities.

II. National Security

To those who have sworn with their lives to protect America against enemies near and far, national security is a deeply held value. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 exposed this nation’s vulnerabilities and magnified the importance of this value – not only for military veterans, but for all Americans. Since then, The American Legion has passed national resolutions supporting and reconfirming its support for the Global War on Terrorism and for all who have critical responsibilities in fighting it: the White House; Congress; departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security; and, foremost, the troops and civilians protecting U.S. interests at home and abroad from terrorist acts.

The American Legion’s national security position is multi-faceted.

Key aspects include:

• Ensuring a well-funded, well-equipped and well-trained military.
• Focusing awareness and surveillance on rogue nations, terrorist groups and global threats to U.S. security around the world.
• Supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and urging its steadfast protection of U.S. borders, ports and other entry points.
• Enabling a decent quality of life for troops and their families – active duty and reserve-component alike – that includes reasonable compensation, benefits, health care, child care, and family support programs.
• Providing an efficient and compassionate healing and transition program for wounded, ill or injured warriors.
• Also within the Legion’s national security pillar is the Foreign Relations Commission that works closely with the Department of State to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts around the world, and to advance the goals of U.S. foreign policy.

III. Children & Youth Programs

The American Legion’s Commission on Children & Youth manages a pillar of service guided by three main objectives:

• to strengthen the family unit
• to support quality organizations that provide services for children and youth
• to provide communities with well-rounded programs that meet the physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of young people.

The Post 315 Foundation works to provide hope for children who face health, safety, discipline or home-life challenges, and provides opportunities for young people to succeed.

IV. Americanism

The American Legion is an organization dedicated to God and Country, with a membership of military veterans who take deep pride in the U.S. Flag and all that it means. Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, the Legion has been a stalwart champion of patriotic values, morals, culture and citizenship. The Legion’s pillar of Americanism embodies its devotion to law and order, the raising of wholesome youth, an educated and law-abiding citizenship, and respectful observance of patriotic holidays and remembrances.