The American Legion’s official training program for officers, members, Legion College applicants and those who simply want to expand their knowledge of the nation’s largest veterans service organization is now available online.

The American Legion Extension Institute has been rewritten, updated, streamlined and enhanced with videos, digital photos, clickable links, a historical timeline and additional features. To register and take the course, visit www.legion.org/alei. (Due to high traffic volume, you may experience some delays. If you experience delays, please try again later.) The program should take less than two hours to complete. It is divided into six sections, with a quiz at the end of each one, followed by a final exam.

The sections closely follow the Legion’s Four Pillars of service. They include:

• History & Organization
• Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
• National Security
• Americanism
• Children & Youth

Upon completion, a participant must pass a final online exam to receive a digital certificate of recognition; a lapel/cap pin will also be delivered to those who successfully complete the course. The names of those who have passed will be recorded and indexed at The American Legion National Headquarters. Graduates will have the option to click a box upon completion to recognize their accomplishment on The American Legion national website: www.legion.org.

The American Legion Extension Institute online training program replaces the series of printed booklets that had been printed and sold through National Headquarters.

Sally Buckingham is an elected officer of American Legion Post 234 and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In her service to veterans, she helped set a Guinness World Record for collecting and sending letters to deployed veterans world wide. This is service that truly needs to be thanked!

To read the full story on the Guinness World Records website, click here.

Posted by: Audrey Simmons

On Saturday July 23rd, members of American Legion Post 234 worked side by side with members of VFW #1040 to install veteran commemorative bricks in Veteran Park, Lynnwood. 

Click here for the form to order a brick to honor a veteran.

This photo was taken Sunday, June 26, at Aaron J. Oberstadt’s Eagle Court of Honor. Aaron’s community service project was doing a Historical Documentary on MLT, WA. John Zambrano & Frank Martinez presented a Certificate and Eagle Scout belt buckle in honor of the Highest Advancement in Boy Scouting.  

Posted by: Audrey Simmons

Veterans Training Support Center (VTSC) is a part of Edmonds Community College, and provides training and professional development for King County service providers who serve Veterans and their families. The Vet Corps Navigator position includes participating in panels to speak about veteran experience, managing social media accounts, assisting with the creation and production of training materials, co-facilitating VTSC workshops, and much more.

The position lasts from August 26, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Compensation is provided, and the deadline to apply is June 30, 2016.

​To learn more about the position and its requirements, click here.

Posted by: Audrey Simmons

Alex Peterson, a graduating senior at Cedar Park Christian HS in Mountlake Terrace receives his $1,000 scholarship award from
American Legion Post 234. 
 
John Crawford, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, presented the award to Alex during the school’s annual awards
ceremony on 26 May 2016.    
 
Alex was an outstanding student / athlete at Cedar Park Christian High School. He maintained a 4.0 GPA will graduate as the
class valedictorian on 3 June 2016.
 
He has been accepted to attend the University of Rochester (NY) in the Fall.
 
His grandfather served in the USAF from 1965 – 71. 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 session of Evergreen Boys State and Evergreen Girls State.  This is a national program of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary to promote hands-on learning of the U.S. democratic form of government. 
 
Students ending their junior year of high school in 2016 are eligible to attend this week-long simulation after being selected, and funded, by local American Legion / Auxiliary Posts.
 
During the week, the citizens will be assigned to a fictitious city, county and political party in the state of “Evergreen.”  They will attend classes, hold meetings, and establish their own government at the city, county, and state levels.  Attendees also have the opportunity to earn several different scholarships, and earn up to four college credits just by participating.    
 
Evergreen Boys State will be held at the Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood, Washington, from 19-25 June 2016.  For details and application, see:
www.evergreenboysstate.org. 
 
Evergreen Girls State will be held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg from 12-18 June 2016.  For details and application, see:  www.walegion-aux.org/girlsstate.html.
 
Both Boys State and Girls State offers a fun, hands-on learning experience where you can meet new people and make life-long friends.  You’ll have the opportunity to meet elected officials and challenge yourself to learn and grow in ways you never knew possible.  It’s one of the most respected youth programs in the country, and this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to participate.  Apply today to begin your journey.  It’s also a great way to start building your resume.  Each session is limited to 300 participants.  First come, first served. 
 
The Boys State program began in Illinois in 1935.  The Girls State program began much later.  However, both are now held in every state, every summer.  The list of alums is long and distinguished.

For more information contact:

John Crawford, Scholarship Committee Chair
(206) 542-8952

Post 234 Legionnaire William "Ben" Benson, volunteered 162 hours providing computer tutoring at Snohomish County senior centers. His service is unique among and a very special donation of time and expertise. Ben received special thanks from the Lynnwood Senior Center for his efforts. Thank you, Ben, for leading the way with community service!

To other members of Post 234:
If you volunteer in the community or for the American Legion or other service organizations, please click here to record your service hours.