Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications at the American Legion, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the response of Post 283 to the Los Angeles wildfires. He also spoke about a couple of stories in the February edition of the American Legion magazine and the need for a GI Bill 2.0.
Stoffer detailed the American Legion's rapid mobilization in response to the Los Angeles wildfires. While nearly all of Pacific Palisades burned down, the block where the Ronald Reagan Pacific Palisades Post 283 is located was not damaged by the fire. Stoffer said members of Post 283 utilized drones to provide evacuated residents with aerial footage of their properties, offering crucial information during a time of uncertainty. It also served as a hub for first responders. He also emphasized the importance of the American Legion's National Emergency Fund in rebuilding communities and supporting those who have served.
Stouffer then highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by student veterans, particularly concerning the post-9/11 G.I. Bill. The rising cost of housing and the complexities of online education have created financial strains for many veterans pursuing higher education. He urged Congress to create a GI Bill 2.0 to better serve today's veterans.
The Life of a Paper Mill is one of the stories in the February edition of the American Legion Magazine. It looks at the Port Hawkesberry Paper Company in Nova Scotia, which produces the paper used to make the American Legion Magazine. This independent, small-town mill is investing in the future of paper through upgrades, including adding a $440 million windmill farm along the shores of Nova Scotia to power the mill. Currently, the mill uses roughly 11 percent of all the power in the providence.
Maj. Gen. William Bill Green Jr. is the focus of an article titled Sacred Service, authored by Matt Grylls. On Nov. 7, 1861, during the Battle of Port Royal Sound on Hilton Head, slaves were freed and transported back to the mainland. Four Union Army chaplains were given the task of helping establish and organize the First African Baptist Church on Hilton Head. Green is the pastor of that church and his family have been members of the church lineage since its founding. Stoffer also noted that 2025 makes the 250th anniversary of the chaplaincy.
For more from Stoffer on the upcoming edition of the American Legion Magazine, listen to the episode above.