American Legion Mobilizes Nationwide
Military Support Network

(Washington, D.C.) - September 12, 2001 - An intense nationwide effort is underway by The American Legion to assist families of American service persons whose deployment in response to the heinous acts of terrorism in New York and Washington, D.C. seems inevitable. American Legion National Commander Richard J. Santos says, "Our Family Support Network is designed to meet family needs that seem to slip through the safety nets of society."

The American Legion toll-free telephone number, 1-800-504-4098, is available to family members and military personnel around-the-clock. "Our members know what family separation is like and the unexpected problems it can bring. The Family Support Network is a volunteer effort that works to ease those problems," Santos said.

Calls are processed and referred to members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion in the communities where military families reside. These hometown volunteers will attempt to assist the family members. Callers are expected to provide their name, the city and state they are calling from and telephone numbers where they can be reached. In most cases, they will receive a return call within two working days.

"As the nation's largest veterans' organization, our commitment to our men and women in uniform and their families never wavers," Santos added. "American Legion Service Officers and other volunteers among the Legion family know their communities and they know how to get things done."

The Family Support Network coordinates with family service personnel at military bases and state headquarters for National Guard and Reserve units to monitor specific needs and to avoid duplication of effort.

"We know the military services have a solid family support operation, we want to supplement those efforts, with a special focus on those families who are not living near an active duty military base where such operations exist," Santos said.

During the Persian Gulf war, The American Legion Family Support Network handled more than 34,000 telephone calls and provided a variety of services for family members. Support included such everyday needs as cutting grass, child care and minor home repairs to the extraordinary efforts to teach a family member how to drive, rescuing a car from a police impound lot and even delivering a car from Texas to Maryland, at no charge to the military family.

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Contact: Steve Thomas, (202) 861-2700; Pager (800) 759-8888, PIN 115-8679; Joe March and Brian Naranjo, (317) 630-1253.

Copyright©2001 by The American Legion