American Legion presents veteran programs and policy priorities to Ohio House Veterans and Military Development Committee

Jacob Brought of the American Legion Department of Ohio told the Ohio House Veterans and Military Development Committee that the organization runs multiple veteran- and youth-focused programs across the state and is pushing several legislative priorities, including House Concurrent Resolution 7 and House Bill 40.

Brought said the American Legion, founded in 1919, operates under four main pillars — Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism and Children and Youth — and serves about 70,000 members and their families in Ohio. “For God and country,” he said, describing the organization’s founding values and religious-emphasis programming.

The presentation outlined concrete programs under each pillar. Under Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, department service officers assist with VA claims and benefits; Brought said the department employs nine full-time, two part-time service officers and one administrative assistant stationed around the state, with offices ranging from Cleveland to…