Russell Stafford

Membership in a local veteran's service organization, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans matter more than you may think. Here are some examples of what these memberships accomplish. (Even by only being a paid-up member assist greatly.)

Members of the American Legion continue to play a critical role in shaping policies that affect veterans, both at the national level and here in Wyoming. Their advocacy efforts ensure that the voices of veterans are heard and that their needs are addressed through legislation and public policy initiatives.

A recent example of this work in Wyoming is the organization’s support for Wyoming House Bill 111, which secured funding to renovate and modernize the Buffalo Veterans’ Home. This facility, which provides long-term nursing and residential care for Wyoming veterans, has served the state’s veteran community for decades. The approved renovations will update aging infrastructure, improve accessibility, and bring the building closer to modern health care standards. State and local leaders noted that these updates are essential to continue providing safe, high-quality care for residents, many of whom rely on specialized medical and mobility services.

“The men and women who served our country deserve facilities that reflect our state’s commitment to them,” said American Legion Department of Wyoming Commander Russell Stafford. “This project ensures that Wyoming veterans can continue to receive the care and support they have earned.”

The effort highlights how state-level advocacy by veteran organizations can directly improve the lives of those who served.

At the national level, the American Legion has also been active in protecting veterans’ benefits. One recent success involved advocacy against a Veterans Affairs Interim Final Rule that could have affected disability ratings for veterans whose symptoms are managed with medication. After widespread concern from veterans’ organizations, VA Secretary Doug Collins first halted enforcement and later rescinded the policy entirely. Dan K. Wiley, national commander of the American Legion, called the decision “a victory for our nation’s veterans and their families,” emphasizing the importance of collective advocacy in shaping sound policy.

The Legion’s advocacy work extends beyond single issues. In 2025, American Legion Family members sent more than 102,000 messages to Congress through the Legion’s Grassroots Action Center, urging lawmakers to support legislation benefiting veterans. One prominent example is the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to allow combat-injured veterans who were medically retired before completing 20 years of service to receive both military retirement pay and VA disability compensation.

Wyoming American Legion members have been represented at both roundtables in Cheyenne by their leadership. At the first veteran's roundtable, Assistant VA Secretary Mark Englebaum met with the Wyoming Veterans Commission and members of several veterans' organizations. Wyoming Legionnaires were represented and made it known that rural health care for veterans was lacking or nonexistent. This prompted the VA of Sheridan and Cheyenne to begin investigating ways to improve. At the next roundtable, VA Secretary Collins met with a prominent group of Legionnaires who focused on Compensation and Pension exams, rural health care, and ensuring that the VA honored its financial commitment to the Buffalo Veterans home. 

Wyoming Legionnaires also traveled to Washington, D.C., for the annual conference, meeting with members of Congress to discuss legislative priorities. Key topics included suicide prevention, addressing veteran homelessness, improving care for women veterans, and expanding opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs. Leaders stressed that grassroots advocacy — particularly sharing personal stories and experiences — remains one of the most effective ways to ensure lawmakers understand how legislation affects veterans and their families.

Through state and national advocacy, the American Legion continues its long-standing mission to protect and enhance veterans’ benefits. From modernizing care facilities in Wyoming to shaping federal policies in Washington, D.C., Legion members demonstrate the power of organized, persistent action in ensuring that veterans receive the care, respect, and recognition they have earned.

(Russell Stafford is the past Post 26 commander and the commander of The American Legion Department of Wyoming.)