Legionnaires, Legion Family, and Friends of Post 716,
Happy New Year. January is when we set the tone for the year — not just with goals, but with habits. For Post 716, that means doing the basics well: taking care of our members, taking care of our facility, and showing up for veterans and military families in a way that is steady and reliable.
I’m grateful for everyone who kept the Post moving through the holidays. Now it’s time to build on that momentum and make 2026 a year where the Post feels more active, more connected, and better run.
Below are a few priorities we are working on right now. If you have feedback, or if you want to help move any of these forward, please reach out — you’ll get a response.
Membership Renewals and a Stronger Member Experience
If you haven’t renewed yet, please do so early in the year. Timely renewals keep our programs funded and help us plan realistically. More importantly, membership is how we keep the Legion strong for the next generation of veterans.
This year, I also want us to be more intentional about what members get out of the Post: meaningful service opportunities, better communication, and a Post that feels welcoming to new faces as well as long-time Legionnaires.
New Officer Appointments
This month, I am pleased to announce several new officer appointments that will strengthen Post 716’s day-to-day operations and keep our programs moving in the right direction.
Bryan Bell, Adjutant. The Adjutant is the Post’s principal administrator — maintaining membership and records, handling official correspondence, and keeping our internal operations organized and compliant. Bryan, thank you for stepping into this critical role.
Matt Sieb, Facilities Manager. The Facilities Manager oversees the care, maintenance, and improvement of our building and grounds so the Post remains safe, functional, and welcoming for veterans, members, and the community. Matt, we appreciate you taking ownership of the work that keeps our Post running.
Bryan Heieck, Assistant Finance Officer. The Assistant Finance Officer supports the Finance Officer. Bryan is also Chairman of the Post Finance Committee that helps track financial activity, improve business practices, and promote sound controls and transparency. Bryan, thank you for lending your time and expertise to protect the Post’s financial health.
Please join me in congratulating all three and thanking them for answering the call. And if you’re reading this thinking, “I could help,” we need you. If you can give just 1–2 hours a month to support the Post and directly help veterans through our many projects, please contact our Adjutant, Bryan Bell, at Adjutant@post716.com
Stewardship and Financial Transparency
I have asked our Finance Committee to conduct an assessment of our business practices and finances so that we have a clear, current picture of where we stand and where we can tighten up.
This is not about finger-pointing. It’s about building good habits and making sure the Post is positioned to serve the community for the long haul.
If you’re approached by the committee for background information or historical context, I’d appreciate your help. Institutional memory matters, and we’re better when we share it.
Sponsoring Troop 657 and Supporting Scouting America
At our recent meeting, membership approved sponsoring Troop 657 as the Post’s chartered organization. This is a meaningful commitment and a good fit for who we are: a community Post that invests in character, leadership, and service. Troop 657 will hold their weekly meetings at the Post from 6pm to 7pm. If you see the troop while you’re at the Post, please make them feel welcome and say hello.
Tom Olszewski is serving as our Chartered Organization Representative (COR). Tom is a Son of the Post. If your Legion Family organization needs Scout volunteers for a community project, please contact Tom so we can coordinate appropriately. The most efficient way to partner with our troop is to coordinate through our COR, so there is clear communication and proper adult leadership safeguards.
GOFUNDME Page Launch – February 2026
We’re launching a GoFundMe soon to strengthen American Legion Post 716’s work here in Los Alamitos. This campaign is designed to support the entire Legion Family — our Auxiliary, Sons, and Riders — and to fund year-round programs that directly serve veterans and military families.
Your donations will help expand two core American Legion programs that make a real, practical difference: Buddy Check, where Legionnaires reach out to veterans who may be isolated or struggling and connect them with resources, and Temporary Financial Assistance, which helps eligible veteran families weather short-term hardships so a rough month doesn’t become a crisis. We also plan to support the Veteran Outreach Center at Cerritos College, which serves as a front door for student veterans seeking guidance, referrals, and community.
Locally, we want to grow youth and civic programs that build the next generation of leaders. That includes our American Legion School Award at Oak and McAuliffe Middle Schools, recognizing two graduating students who best represent citizenship and true Americanism. Last year we paired each award with a $250 check, and we received the strongest group of candidates we’ve seen in five years — it was also the most generous award presented at those ceremonies. We also intend to sponsor two students to attend Boys State, giving them a once-in-a-lifetime leadership and civics experience.
We also want to fund a gaming program for active-duty service members and veterans as part of the American Legion Gaming Initiative — creating a welcoming, low-barrier way for younger veterans and currently serving personnel to connect, decompress, and build community at the Post.
Finally, we’ll use part of the funds to build emergency assistance and micro-grants for veterans in need, and to provide practical support for active-duty service members and families at JFTB Los Alamitos and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. A portion of the campaign will also be dedicated to Post infrastructure maintenance and improvements — the kinds of upgrades that make the Post more inviting to veterans and active-duty personnel, and that help us increase hall rentals to sustain our mission long-term.
Watch your email! We expect the GoFundMe link to launch by February 20, 2026. When it arrives, please give any amount you can and share it with a friend. Every dollar helps us deliver real support, right here at home.
Honor a Veteran – Metal Plaque Project
We’re preparing to launch a Metal Plaque Project as another way for members, families, and friends of Post 716 to leave a lasting mark at the Post while directly supporting our mission. Next month, we’ll share a sample plaque so everyone can see the look, quality, and inscription options before orders open.
These plaques will be bolted into the ground in the concrete area a couple of feet out from—and under—the mural, expanding outward around the Post over time. A plaque can be purchased by a service member or a family member, and it’s also open to the broader community. This project is meant to strengthen the bond between the Post and the neighborhoods we serve by giving people a tangible, permanent way to honor service and show support.
Pricing is still being finalized, but each plaque will include the service member’s name, rank, dates of service, branch insignia, and military campaign(s) if applicable. Community members may also purchase a plaque to honor a service member, recognize a family legacy, or simply show support for veterans or a particular branch of the military.
Proceeds will help fund the veteran and community programs described above — including support for our Auxiliary, Sons, and Riders; programs like Buddy Check and Temporary Financial Assistance; the Veteran Outreach Center at Cerritos College; our American Legion School Awards at Oak and McAuliffe; Boys State sponsorships; emergency assistance and micro-grants for veterans; support for active-duty families at JFTB Los Alamitos and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach; and our planned gaming program under the American Legion Gaming Initiative.
Just as important, a portion of the proceeds will be set aside to build a Post “rainy day” fund — a reserve we can tap for true emergencies. That kind of stability matters. It means we can respond quickly to unexpected facility repairs or urgent needs in the veteran community without waiting for the next fundraiser or scrambling to cover a sudden expense.
If you have questions or want to start thinking about wording for a plaque, please reach out to Matt Sieb or Bryan Bell.
Post Hall, Rentals, and Facility Care
The Hall is one of our most important assets. When it’s maintained, rented responsibly, and used well, it supports everything else we do. If you have a community group, school program, or family event that needs space, consider the Post — and please help us spread the word.
We are also continuing to address routine maintenance items so small problems don’t become expensive ones. If you notice something that needs attention, don’t assume someone else has already reported it — please let us know.
VA Benefit Tip of the Month
Veterans have 8 potential paths to increase their VA disability rating: 1) File a New VA Disability Increase Claim 2) File a New Claim for Direct Service Connection 3) File a New Claim for Secondary Service Connection 4) File a New Claim for Presumptive Service Connection 5) File a New Claim for Service Connection via Aggravation 6) File a New Appeal for a Previously Denied VA Disability Claim 7) File a New Claim for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) 8) File a New Claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
The simplest and fastest way to increase your VA disability rating is to file for an increase on conditions you’re already service-connected for at 0% or higher. Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) are especially powerful for these claims and can sometimes lead to an increase without the VA requiring a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam.
If your condition wasn’t diagnosed during active duty or you’ve been separated for more than 12 months, getting a Nexus Letter from a private healthcare provider can dramatically strengthen your claim. And if you want to raise your combined VA rating, focus on high-value claims — those typically rated at 30% or higher — to move the needle faster.
Benefits and discharge information are a general summary for situational awareness, not legal advice. Rules and interpretations can change and depend on specific facts. For case-specific guidance, contact an accredited VSO, your County Veterans Service Office, or a qualified attorney. Contact the American Legion Post 716 Service Officer for additional assistance at thirdvice@post716.com
Active Duty-Veteran Discount or Complimentary Service/Product of the Month
Vet Tix
Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country. Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving Military and Veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA. Vet Tix secures tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational and family activities across the nation. VetTixers sign up online. We verify their service. VetTixers request tickets to events that interest them, then pay a small delivery fee to receive their free tickets. To learn more and sign up vist Vet Tix at: https://www.vettix.org/visitor/home
Conclusion
As we head into a new month, I’d ask each of you to remember what makes Post 716 matter: we’re not just a building, a bar, or a set of meetings. We’re a promise to show up for veterans, for military families, and for our community—consistently, quietly, and without needing applause. Every program we run, every phone call we make, every hour we volunteer is a way of keeping faith with the men and women who served. If you’ve been looking for a reason to get more involved, this is it. Pick one project. Give one hour. Make one call. Small commitments, made by a lot of people, are how a good Post becomes a great one. Thank you for your membership, your service, and your continued support of Post 716.
Aloha,
Roger Haag
Commander, American Legion Post 716
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