American Legion hosts national commander

The national commander of the American Legion was on hand at the American Legion for lunch Wednesday. David K. Rehbein spoke about the need for the group to keep in touch with the local communities that housed it and to work together to accomplish the group's goals. --Steve Moyer/Daily Mail

He's the leader of nearly 3 million American veterans and is responsible for representing them and their interests for his one-year term of office. David K. Rehbein is the National Commander of the American Legion and he, along with several representatives of the Missouri State department, was on hand at Leon Ogier Post number 2 to meet with local veterans and update them on what the national organization is doing for them.

Rehbein is a member of Ames, Iowa Post 37 where he served as commander and adjutant as well as 12 years as finance officer and 16 years as newsletter editor.

He has been district commander and state vice-commander and represented Iowa on The American Legion's National Executive Committee.

One issue that recently caused a lot of consternation among Rehbein's constituents was the proposal made by the Obama administration to have a veteran's private insurance, if any, pay for that veterans' service related expenses, a proposal that all veteran's organizations opposed.

"It turns out the president withdrew his proposal in response to the public outrage," Rehbein said. "I think it was a bad idea and I'm glad to see it withdrawn."

Rehbein said the president had also made a positive effort with his proposed budget but that didn't mean the group wouldn't be keeping an eye on the matter.

"The president has requested an increase of $5 billion in the VA budget," Rehbein said. "We don't know the specifics, we haven't seen details, just the bottom line number. I just want to let them know we're looking over the government's shoulder on the new G.I. bill."

Rehbein said the new G.I. bill would provide veterans with more than money for tuition, it would also provide money for books and housing expenses but it is only applicable to service after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"The new G.I. bill is getting closer to what it was after World War II with its educational benefits," Rehbein said. "It provides money for tuition, books and housing but there's some confusion because the new bill will only affect those who've served after nine-eleven, 2001, that's the only service that counts toward the educational benefits."

Rehbein said he wanted veterans to get the kind of health care they needed in the kind of facilities that provided the best care. When asked about sub-par veteran's facilities he responded that it was important to note they were exceptions, not the rule.

"As humans we all make mistakes," Rehbein said. "As long as they're not systemic but just an occasional exception we can clean them up and get veterans the kind of care they need."

Bob Bryan, post finance officer, questioned Rehbein about out-patient clinics and transporting veteran's to VA hospitals for care.

"One of the things that have worked really well are the out-patient clinics, they can save veterans a long drive," Rehbein said. "They only provide primary care but it's a lot closer to home. We are having some trouble finding drivers for DAV (Disabled American Veterans) vans to take veterans to the hospitals."

Rehbein said that in addition to providing service to veteran's the organization had an obligation to the communities that housed its members, a responsibility the local post has taken seriously by sending four boys to Boys State and sponsoring Legion baseball.

"We need to make sure the local posts stay connected to the community," Rehbein said. "Why do we do baseball or Boys or Girls State? It's not just to win games, it's because we need to be involved with the kids and pass on the values we hold."

Rehbein said the organization was meant to serve others, not be served. He mentioned a serviceman who was injured in Iraq and said the group needed to be there for others like him.

"We don't do this for ourselves," Rehbein said. "There was a serviceman in Tikrit, Iraq who was injured and in a coma. He made it back and finally woke up and he needs our help. That's who we need to be there for."

Rehbein said he was proud to head the legion and be its voice there were some things he needed the help of the members with.

"Sometimes having your National Commander telling Congress something isn't enough, sometimes you have to write your Senators and Representatives yourselves," Rehbein said.